Hawks charge five over R172m fire truck tender as 25 trucks never arrived

Five men, among them a deputy director in the City of Johannesburg’s supply chain management division, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges tied to a R172 million tender for specialised fire and rescue trucks.

The Hawks say the City awarded the contract to TFM (Pty) Ltd in May 2016 for 40 vehicles destined for its Emergency Management Services department. According to the Hawks’ account of the case, the company received more than R172 million in advance payments but delivered only 15 trucks, leaving 25 of the contracted vehicles unaccounted for.

Jimmy Palabadi Maluleke, 57, the City official, appeared alongside Reiner Jacobus Janse Van Rensburg, 66, Johan Ernest Van Der Merwe, 66, Mcebisi Rudolph Mlonzi, 55, and Ndzonelelo Precious Mtyi, 51. The five face eight counts of fraud, eight alternative counts of theft, and money laundering charges.

What the Hawks say happened

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said the tender was for the supply of 40 specialised fire and rescue trucks to the City’s Emergency Management Services.

“It’s alleged that TFM (Pty) Ltd only delivered 15 fire and rescue trucks despite having received an amount of over R172 million in advance from the City of Johannesburg,” Mavimbela said.

Between September and November 2019, Mavimbela said, the company continued to issue invoices to the City, which resulted in payments of more than R172 million to the entity.

Six warrants of arrest were authorised on September 16. Three of the accused were arrested and two handed themselves over to authorities on Thursday. The Hawks did not say in their statement who the sixth warrant concerns.

Bail of R10,000 each

All five made a first appearance before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and were each granted bail of R10,000. The matter was postponed to October 28, 2026.

For Johannesburg residents, the case turns on a service the city’s emergency responders depend on. A fire and rescue truck is not a routine procurement item. It carries the equipment and the crew that answer a call in the middle of the night, and the shortfall alleged here is measured in vehicles that were paid for and, on the Hawks’ account, never arrived.

The arrests follow an investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and a decision by the National Prosecuting Authority to bring the matter to court. The case now moves to its next date, where the accused are expected to appear again before the same court.

Source: IOL, Joburg official and four others in court over alleged R172m fire-truck fraud