R16m fraud scandal rocks Emfuleni Municipality: Ghost vehicles exposed

HOW did more than R16 million in taxpayers' money vanish into vehicles that never existed or broke down almost immediately?

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

The Emfuleni Local Municipality is under investigation after trucks, graders and bakkies were allegedly purchased through Maboela Forestry and Construction via the RT57-2019 National Treasury contract, but many were never delivered or quickly became unusable.

The RT57-2019 contract is a National Treasury panel of approved suppliers intended to ensure transparency and fair pricing in government procurement. However, documents reviewed by The Star suggest the rules may have been flouted.

Investigators allege that six UD trucks and eight Toyota Hilux bakkies paid for by the municipality were never delivered. Three SANY SMG200-3 graders that were supplied reportedly became inoperable shortly after delivery due to recurring mechanical failures.

According to documents seen by The Star, the graders were supplied with manuals written only in Mandarin, leaving municipal operators unable to properly operate or maintain the equipment.