ANC NEC member and former party spokesperson, Pule Mabe, is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face corruption charges related to a R27 million tender. Multiple independent sources within law enforcement confirmed that Mabe will hand himself over to the police to be charged.
“The charge sheet is already drafted,” a reliable source revealed to Sunday World.
The charges stem from a 2017 tender awarded to Mabe’s company, Enviro Mobi, by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Enviro Mobi was contracted to supply 200 three-wheeled motorised waste collection vehicles (tuk-tuks) intended for 58 waste pickers in Ekurhuleni. However, investigations revealed irregularities in the awarding and execution of the contract.
At the time of bidding, Enviro Mobi allegedly failed to disclose Mabe’s directorship. While Mabe declared his directorship in Enviro Mobi in the register of members’ interests in 2016, during his time as a Member of Parliament, this was after the tender was awarded in March 2017. He remained an MP until August 2017.
The investigation uncovered that Enviro Mobi received an irregular payment of R27 231 750, allegedly without rendering any services. A significant portion of this payment, R16 million, was disbursed just ten days after the contract was signed, reportedly before any work commenced.
The matter was initially referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) by former Gauteng Premier David Makhura following a forensic report that highlighted suspicious misconduct and fraudulent activities within several provincial departments. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently authorised the SIU to investigate, including the Mabe tender, in 2021.
The SIU concluded its investigation and referred the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) due to suspected criminality. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed this referral on Friday.
However, the NPA’s Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, declined to confirm or deny Mabe’s impending court appearance, stating, “We can only comment once a suspect is charged and appeared in court.”
She referred further inquiries to the Hawks, the agency responsible for arrests and bringing suspects to court. The Hawks, in turn, directed inquiries to the Investigative Directorate.
This is not Mabe’s first encounter with corruption allegations. In November 2013, he was arrested alongside Paseka Letsatsi (then head of communications at Sassa) and Surprise Kabedi Ramosa on charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering related to alleged Sassa fraud. The trio were released on R10 000 bail each. While Mabe’s assets worth R2.2 million were seized during the investigation, he was ultimately acquitted.
Mabe’s lawyer, Victor Nkwashu, stated on Thursday that he and his client were unaware of the expected court appearance. The upcoming court appearance marks a significant development in the case and will likely attract considerable public attention, given Mabe's prominent position within the ANC.
