NPA confiscates R1. 4 million Mercedes Benz from Limpopo official amid corruption allegations

A former top official at a Limpopo municipality and his wife have lost their R1.4 million Mercedes Benz car after it was confiscated by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Kgantsi Malepa and his wife Mmapule lost the swanky, white Mercedes Benz GLE 350d Coupe after their arrest in 2020.

Limpopo High Court, Polokwane, Acting Judge Marianne Bresler rejected the couple’s assertions and found that the property shall vest in the State upon granting the court’s order.

The vehicle, a white Mercedes Benz GLE 350d Coupe, is presently subject to the preservation of the property order granted by the court.

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.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za