Limpopo High Court rules in favour of the State in R1.4 million Mercedes Benz case
CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
The high court in Limpopo has ordered the seizure of a R1.4 million Mercedes-Benz registered to the wife of a Mogalakwena Local Municipality official.
Image: Supplied
A former high-ranking official at a Limpopo municipality, Kgantsi Malepa, along with his wife Mmapule, has come under scrutiny after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confiscated their luxury vehicle.
The couple’s white Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d Coupe, valued at R1.4 million, was seized as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and financial misconduct following their arrest in 2020.
Limpopo High Court, Polokwane, Acting Judge Marianne Bresler dismissed claims made by the couple seeking to retain possession of their white Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d Coupe, determining instead that the vehicle shall vest in the State upon the granting of the court's order. The preservation order currently in effect places the vehicle under state control.
The ruling states that in terms of the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca), the property shall vest in the state upon granting of the order subject to processes. NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the matter was postponed to next month.
“The accused have submitted an application for recusal of the magistrate. The magistrate refused and dismissed the application and the accused are then taking the review application to the high court. The matter will be in court on 14 October 2025 to get the outcome,” she said.
The criminal matter is scheduled to return to the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The Malepas are accused of buying the vehicle with proceeds of unlawful activities – corruption and extortion.
“It is common cause that the vehicle is registered in the name of the second respondent (Mmapule). The vehicle was purchased from Mercurius Motors with funds obtained from Lesiba Mokhonoana of Lesibasiba Projects and Elvis Mohuba of Tomele Business Enterprise, the NPA explained.
Both Lesibasiba Projects and Tomele Business Enterprise were service providers at Mogalakwena Municipality between 2016 and 2017.
The municipality investigated the matter and uncovered that amounts were due and payable to Katlego Internet Convenient Stores (Pty) Ltd and Unlimited Liquor Restaurant, owned by his wife.
“Upon investigation of these allegations, the applicant ascertained from the employees of Lesibasiba Projects that no training was conducted involving the respondents (Katlego Internet and the Unlimited Liquor Restaurant) or their related entities,” the ruling stated.
The municipality added that no agreement was concluded with the companies or their related entities and were not in possession of any invoices rendered for these alleged goods and/or services.