The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully obtained a preservation order barring former ANC Member of Parliament, Pule Mabe, from selling his luxury Porsche and multi-million-rand property in Steyn City. This order is linked to ongoing investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption involving a R27 million tender awarded to a company with ties to Mabe, Enviro Mobi.
In a significant move, the Special Tribunal issued the order today, prohibiting Mabe from selling, leasing, or transferring his high-end Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and his lavish residence. The preservation order is part of a broader effort by the SIU to investigate the unlawful tender award and recover the funds allegedly misappropriated in the deal.
The fraudulent tender in question dates back to 2017 when the Gauteng Department of Agriculture awarded a R27 million contract to Enviro Mobi, a company linked to Mabe and his wife. The contract involved the supply of 200 motorised three-wheeler vehicles for a waste management project in Ekurhuleni. However, the SIU’s investigation, initiated under Presidential Proclamation No. R15 of 2021, revealed a troubling pattern of irregularities in the procurement process.
Despite the terms of the contract stipulating that payments should only be made after 50% of the work was completed, more than R25 million was paid upfront to Enviro Mobi, with no goods delivered. Furthermore, the company allegedly misrepresented the status of the work and failed to comply with procurement regulations.
The Hawks, who are also investigating the case, uncovered that Enviro Mobi later issued a demand for an additional R9 million from the department, citing costs for safekeeping, storage, and ancillary services related to the fleet of vehicles, which were never delivered. Shockingly, it was revealed that much of the money transferred to Enviro Mobi found its way
The investigation has already led to multiple arrests. Last month, Mabe, his wife, and several key figures involved in the fraudulent tender were taken into custody following the issuance of arrest warrants. Those arrested include Loyiso Mkwana, the former chief director of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, and Abdulla Ismail, the department’s former CFO, as well as other individuals linked to the department at the time. All accused were granted bail of R30,000 each and are scheduled to appear in court on 5 December 2024 on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago emphasised the gravity of the case, stating that the preservation order is a critical step in preventing the disposal of assets linked to the alleged illicit activities. “This preservation order will ensure that the assets in question remain within the jurisdiction of the state while the investigation continues,” said Kganyago.
The investigation also raises significant questions about potential systemic corruption within government procurement processes. The SIU’s ongoing efforts to nullify the tender award and recover the misappropriated funds are seen as a crucial part of broader efforts to tackle corruption in South Africa’s public sector.
“The SIU has filed a review application at the Special Tribunal to nullify the tender award and recover the funds unlawfully paid to the company linked to Mabe,” Kganyago added, stressing that this case is only one of many such investigations aimed at cleaning up procurement processes in South Africa.
The preservation of Mabe’s assets marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against corruption, demonstrating the government’s commitment to holding public figures accountable. The case continues to unravel, and as it progresses, more details about the extensive web of fraud and financial mismanagement are expected to emerge.
As the investigation moves forward, the SIU, Hawks, and other law enforcement agencies will be closely monitoring the actions of all those involved, with the potential for further charges as the full scope of the alleged fraud becomes clearer. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for future anti-corruption efforts in the country.
The story is still developing, and as more arrests are made and the evidence mounts, the public will undoubtedly demand answers about how such large-scale fraud was allowed to occur under the noses of government officials tasked with overseeing public funds.
