POLOKWANE – The municipal manager of Blouberg Local Municipality, Refilwe Jonas Ramothwala (57), has been remanded in custody together with Sello Herlot Mongalo (37) and Ngoako Nicolas Thoka (39), directors of BBT Security Services (Pty) Ltd. They appeared in the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court today in connection with an alleged fraud and corruption case involving a R16 million security tender at the municipality.

The Polokwane Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit jointly with the Polokwane Tactical Response Team (TRT) arrested the trio on Wednesday following intensive investigations.

In a statement, Mashudu Malabi, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo, said the accused are collectively facing 73 charges, including theft, fraud and money laundering. She said the matter was postponed to 1 October for a formal bail application.

“It is alleged that in March 2023, Blouberg Local Municipality awarded a security services tender to BBT Security Services (Pty) Ltd after the company submitted fraudulent tender documents. The company allegedly failed to meet key technical requirements stipulated in the tender specifications, including the ownership of firearms required to render the contracted services. Despite the alleged non-compliance, BBT Security Services continued to provide services and received payments from the municipality over a period of three years, amounting to more than R11 million,” said Malabi.

She said Ramothwala faces an additional charge of an alleged contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. “BBT Security Services (Pty) Ltd and its two directors are charged with theft, fraud and money laundering arising from the alleged irregular award and implementation of the tender,” said Malabi.

Malabi said Ramothwala also has a pending fraud matter ongoing in the Hoedspruit Regional Court, with the trial scheduled to proceed on 16 October.

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