EFF leader Julius Malema has accused Polokwane mayor Makoro John Mpe of prioritising foreign nationals over locals when awarding municipal contracts. Speaking at a Siyabonga Rally in Seshego last weekend, Malema alleged that lucrative tenders were being handed to Zimbabweans while residents of Polokwane remained unemployed.
“No one is going to eject us from the problems created by John Mpe but ourselves, because we are the ones who got ourselves into this mess in the first place. This man took all the tenders and gave them to Zimbabweans. This happens at the time our own children in Polokwane remain unemployed,” Malema said to loud applause.
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He added: “We don’t deny the fact that Zimbabweans must be given jobs, but let them be given jobs in their own municipalities in Harare, while we also get jobs from our own municipalities.”
Malema also accused the municipality of nepotism and even “exchanging jobs for sex.” A resident who wished to remain anonymous echoed the EFF leader’s concerns, pointing to the appointment of a Zimbabwean national as director of water and sanitation.
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Municipality Rejects Allegations, Calls Them Electioneering
The Polokwane municipality has strongly denied Malema’s claims, describing them as an election ploy ahead of next year’s local government polls.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala dismissed the allegations, insisting tenders were not reserved for foreign nationals.
“The Polokwane municipality is currently doing business with over 150 contracting companies. Out of this number, fewer than eight are foreign-owned and even in those cases, some are joint ventures with South African partners. The overwhelming majority of service providers are South African-owned,” Selala said.
He added: “We categorically reject the allegation that tenders are reserved for foreign nationals. All tenders are awarded in line with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), supply chain management policies and other prescripts of good governance.”
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Selala stressed that the municipality remains committed to empowering local entrepreneurs, with a focus on youth, women, and people with disabilities.
Controversy Over Appointment of Zimbabwean Director of Water and Sanitation
The appointment of Zimbabwean national Kennedy Chihota as director of water and sanitation has also drawn criticism. However, Selala defended the decision, saying it was a council appointment endorsed by Limpopo MEC Basikop Makamu.
“Chihota is the first foreign national ever appointed at senior management level in this municipality. His appointment was based solely on merit, qualifications and decades of experience in South Africa,” Selala said.
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Responding to questions about Chihota’s qualifications, Selala highlighted his extensive background:
Senior roles at the University of Limpopo, Capricorn District Municipality, City of Cape Town Metro, Ekurhuleni Metro, and Ekurhuleni Water Care Company.
Four master’s degrees, including one from Stellenbosch University.
“His appointment is therefore not about nationality but about competence and service delivery,” Selala emphasised.
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