Pule Mabe And Co-Accused Face Court Over R27 Million Tender Fraud

Holifil

02 Apr, 2025

Pule Mabe, former ANC spokesperson, appeared in court with six others on corruption charges.
The case revolves around a R27 million tender, where Mabe and his co-accused are charged with fraud and theft.
Mabe insists he and his wife are innocent, claiming the allegations are baseless.

Pule Mabe and six others have been charged with theft, fraud, and corruption in connection with a R27 million tender fraud case. Image: @ewnreporter. Source: Twitter

Here's the latest twist in this high-profile case: Pule Mabe, once the voice of the ANC, has been granted bail. This former spokesperson for the party found himself in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court alongside six others, all facing serious charges.

The court appearance stems from allegations involving a R27 million tender. Each of the accused, including Mabe, has been granted bail under specific conditions, set at R30,000. They will be back in court on 25 March 2025 to continue proceedings. Let’s break down who these individuals are and why they’ve been charged.

Who Are the Key Players in This Drama?

Pule Mabe isn’t walking this road alone. He’s joined by six other individuals, including his wife, Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, and a close business associate, Tinyiko Mahuntsi. Also in the dock are key figures from the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department. These include Loyiso Mkwana, the department’s chief director, alongside former heads of department Thandeka Mbassa and Matilda Gasela.

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Another notable figure is Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, the former chief financial officer (CFO) of the department. Two companies, KG Media (trading as Enviro-Mobi) and Star Mass Direct (trading as Kariki Media Holdings), are also named as accused. It’s a wide-ranging case that pulls in individuals from both the public and private sectors.

What Led to This Court Battle?

This case dates back to 2017, when the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department awarded a tender to Mabe’s company, Enviro-Mobi. The tender was for the supply of 200 three-wheeler vehicles intended for waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni Municipality. However, according to the prosecution, only four of these vehicles were ever delivered to the department.

The math doesn’t add up. The tender was valued at R27 million, yet only four vehicles, worth R511,860, were handed over. Mabe, still an active member of the ANC, has categorically denied any wrongdoing. He claims that his company successfully delivered all 200 tuk-tuks, countering the allegations against him.

Mabe Stands Firm on His Wife’s Innocence

Outside the courtroom, Mabe addressed the media, reiterating his innocence and that of his wife. He argued that his wife had no involvement with the co-accused and that her only "crime" was accepting money from him. Mabe emphasized that it’s his duty as a husband to provide for his family, questioning why this should now be used against her.

Mabe also expressed frustration with the lack of clarity surrounding the complaint. “If someone complains, there has to be an origin. They’ve got to say I am complaining because the assets are not there. There’s got to be something,” he remarked. The body responsible for filing the complaint is reportedly the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Zizi Kodwa Steps Aside Amid Corruption Allegations

Mabe isn’t the only high-profile ANC member dealing with legal trouble. Zizi Kodwa, the former Sports, Arts and Culture minister, also recently faced court over corruption charges. Following the ANC’s step-aside rule, which mandates that members charged with serious offenses step down from their roles, Kodwa has temporarily stepped aside from his duties within the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

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It’s a challenging time for the ANC, with prominent figures like Mabe and Kodwa embroiled in legal battles. As the cases unfold, the public awaits further developments to see how these stories will end. For now, Mabe and his co-accused are out on bail, but the road ahead is uncertain.

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Pule Mabe and six others, including his wife, face court over a R27 million tender fraud case. The former ANC spokesperson denies the charges and questions the legitimacy of the complaint. Stay updated on this unfolding drama involving key figures from both public and private sectors.