Polokwane protesters demand mayor’s removal, allege corruption

Members of the Concerned Citizens of Polokwane marched to Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba’s office, calling for the resignation of Polokwane Municipality Mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni. Photo: Judas Sekwela

More than 100 people under the banner of the Concerned Citizens of Polokwane (CCP) marched to Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba’s office in Polokwane on Wednesday. They were calling for Mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni to be removed.

This follows allegations that a R56-million tender was irregularly awarded to a company linked to Nemugumoni’s Zimbabwean partner in a deal approved by Mpe.

The group claims there are 28 other tenders worth more than R724-million connected to senior municipal officials, foreign-owned companies and associates of Mpe and Nemugumoni.

Mpe has denied the allegations, calling them baseless, defamatory and politically motivated. He said the companies named in the allegations were awarded contracts through lawful bidding processes before he and Nemugumoni took office.

“The law does not prohibit foreign-owned companies from doing business with municipalities, provided they meet all legal and compliance requirements,” said Mpe.

CCP is demanding that the municipal council be dissolved. They also want projects linked to the alleged corruption halted, and Premier Ramathuba to call a meeting within five days to place the municipality under administration.

“Those found in wrongdoing should face the music,” said CCP convener Thapelo Molepo. “We hope the premier will get rid of Mpe.”

Molepo said foreigners should not be favoured above local South Africans. He cited the recent mooted appointment of Zimbabwean Kennedy Chihota as the director for water and sanitation.

CCP coordinator Phasoane Mphahlele said they were not against other Africans but against the municipality only serving an elite few. “We are tired of people serving their pockets while our people don’t get services,” he said.

“The municipality has enough resources to deliver services, but the resources are embezzled into foreign companies and politicians,” alleged Mphahlele.

The CCP memorandum of demands was accepted by Finance MEC Kgabo Mahoai on behalf of Ramathuba.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said Mayor Mpe denied any association with the companies named.

Selala said the council had only approved Chihota’s nomination, and no official appointment has yet been made. He said it was still subject to the approval by MECs for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs.

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