Pule Mabe's corruption case postponed to July as final charge sheet is still pending
The decision was announced during court proceedings on Tuesday at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Ekurhuleni.
Mabe, 44, his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, 46, and five others — Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela, Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, and Mabe's business associate Tinyiko Mahuntsi — appeared briefly before Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi.
All seven accused are currently out on bail of R30 000 each. State prosecutor Magdeline Montwedi Mclean told the court that the defence and prosecution had agreed to postpone proceedings to allow the State time to provide the final charge sheet by June 30. If delivered on time, the accused may be issued a trial date at their next court appearance on July 7.
Mabe, once a prominent figure in the ruling African National Congress, is at the centre of a case stemming from a controversial R27 million tender awarded in 2017 to his company, Enviro Mobi.
The company was contracted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to supply 200 three-wheeled motorised waste collection vehicles — known as tuk-tuks — intended to support 58 waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni municipality.
According to the state, the contract was awarded under irregular and fraudulent circumstances. Investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks revealed that Enviro Mobi received R27 231 750 in payments 'without any service rendered.'
In addition, over R6 million was allegedly paid out to cover storage expenses for the tuk-tuks, despite no record of the vehicles being deployed for their intended purpose.
Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said that the charges against the accused include theft, fraud, and violations of both the Public Finance Management Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Mjonondwane further detailed how the procurement process was manipulated. A public tender was advertised on February 10, 2017, calling for proposals to support the integration of small and medium waste enterprises into Gauteng's waste management economy.
Ten companies responded, including Enviro Mobi, which allegedly lacked the necessary experience and technical capacity to fulfil the tender's requirements.'Enviro Mobi was awarded the tender despite serious shortcomings,' Mjonondwane explained.
'The State alleges that Makwana, Mbassa, and Ismail facilitated the unlawful appointment of Enviro Mobi, represented by Pule Mabe. At the time, the company reportedly denied any links to government officials or members of Parliament.'
Mabe had served as director of Enviro Mobi from 2010 to 2014 and was a signatory on the business account of KGP Media Holdings, one of the companies charged in the case.
Both Star Mass Direct and KGP Media Holdings — formerly known as Kariki Media Holdings and Groen Mintirho, respectively — are also facing charges. The SIU and Hawks allege that from March 2017 onwards, Enviro Mobi submitted invoices exceeding R26 million with no accompanying documentation to verify the completion of work or delivery of services.
Prominent defence attorney Zola Majavu is representing Mabe, his wife, and their companies.
Neither the accused nor their legal representatives made public comments following the postponement on Tuesday.
The next court appearance on July 7 is expected to bring further clarity, with the potential for a trial date to be set depending on the State's readiness and finalisation of charges.
The case has drawn significant attention given Mabe's previous high-profile role in South African politics and the growing scrutiny over government procurement processes.
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