A senior official in a district municipality in Limpopo has allegedly been channelling lucrative tenders worth millions of rands to companies owned by her husband.
A forensic report stated that Kgomotjo Lebopa, assistant director for expenditure at Mopani district municipality, awarded tenders to her husband's companies at the time she was acting chief financial officer.
Mopani paid millions of rands into the companies for work done.
Lebopa was appointed as a member of the bid adjudication committee for the period between December 18 2013 to June 30 2014.
It was during this time that companies with links to her husband, Matome Duke Ramalepe, benefited immensely from the municipality.
The companies did work such as equipping of boreholes, drilling, testing and removing and repairing of sewerage pumps, including a household sanitation programme, among other services.
A company linked to Ramalepe was awarded tenders worth more than R4-million for equipping boreholes, supplying and installation of new pumps, among other jobs.
His company also supplied 80 toilets to the value of R640000 in 2014.
Lebopa is accused of failing to declare interest in any of the bidding processes she adjudicated upon, let alone any relationship she had with the bidders despite the fact that she was a member of the committee that recommended winners.
At least six companies owned by her husband were awarded tenders and ultimately paid millions of rands.
A forensic report Sowetan has seen has noted that four of the companies are in the process of de-registration and only two were still in business.
According to the report, compiled by Paradigm Forensic Services, Lebopa and Ramalepe were married on September 1 2005.
"The declaration of interest and oath of secrecy form completed by Lebopa in relation to the various projects awarded to companies with links to Ramalepe indicated that Lebopa had declared no interests in the tenders nor [relations] to any of the bidders," reads the report.
Approached yesterday, Lebopa said it was not true that she had not declared.
"My declaration form is in the hands of the municipality," she said before referring further enquiries to her lawyer.
Attempts to get Ramalepe for a comment drew a blank yesterday as his mobile phone was switched off.
District spokesman Neil Shikwambana confirmed that Lebopa had various charges preferred against her.
She had been found guilty and subsequently dismissed from work.
"She was taken through a disciplinary process which found her guilty and recommended expulsion," said Shikwambana. He said Lebopa was dismissed last month.
frankm@sowetan.co.za
Senior government official awarded tenders worth millions to husband
A senior official in a district municipality in Limpopo has allegedly been channelling lucrative tenders worth millions of rands to companies owned by her husband.
A forensic report stated that Kgomotjo Lebopa, assistant director for expenditure at Mopani district municipality, awarded tenders to her husband's companies at the time she was acting chief financial officer.
Mopani paid millions of rands into the companies for work done.
Lebopa was appointed as a member of the bid adjudication committee for the period between December 18 2013 to June 30 2014.
It was during this time that companies with links to her husband, Matome Duke Ramalepe, benefited immensely from the municipality.
The companies did work such as equipping of boreholes, drilling, testing and removing and repairing of sewerage pumps, including a household sanitation programme, among other services.
A company linked to Ramalepe was awarded tenders worth more than R4-million for equipping boreholes, supplying and installation of new pumps, among other jobs.
His company also supplied 80 toilets to the value of R640000 in 2014.
Lebopa is accused of failing to declare interest in any of the bidding processes she adjudicated upon, let alone any relationship she had with the bidders despite the fact that she was a member of the committee that recommended winners.
At least six companies owned by her husband were awarded tenders and ultimately paid millions of rands.
A forensic report Sowetan has seen has noted that four of the companies are in the process of de-registration and only two were still in business.
According to the report, compiled by Paradigm Forensic Services, Lebopa and Ramalepe were married on September 1 2005.
"The declaration of interest and oath of secrecy form completed by Lebopa in relation to the various projects awarded to companies with links to Ramalepe indicated that Lebopa had declared no interests in the tenders nor [relations] to any of the bidders," reads the report.
Approached yesterday, Lebopa said it was not true that she had not declared.
"My declaration form is in the hands of the municipality," she said before referring further enquiries to her lawyer.
Attempts to get Ramalepe for a comment drew a blank yesterday as his mobile phone was switched off.
District spokesman Neil Shikwambana confirmed that Lebopa had various charges preferred against her.
She had been found guilty and subsequently dismissed from work.
"She was taken through a disciplinary process which found her guilty and recommended expulsion," said Shikwambana. He said Lebopa was dismissed last month.
frankm@sowetan.co.za
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