Police raid over billion-rand tender at Ngaka Modiri Molema Municipality 2–3 minutes By Collin Ndabeni A security tender worth billions of rands that has reportedly been through four failed bidding rounds is at the centre of an explosive police investigation at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMM) in Mahikeng. The tender, allegedly designed to favour a well-known Mahikeng businessman, has drawn intense scrutiny from law-enforcement agencies after months of internal disputes and unexplained delays. The controversy reached a boiling point on Thursday when heavily armed members of the SAPS Special Task Force raided the municipality’s headquarters, seizing documents and computers linked to the lucrative contract. Officers sealed the gates, halted all operations, and searched offices across multiple departments, including those of the Executive Mayor, Speaker, Chief Whip, Municipal Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Legal Services and Fleet Management. Witnesses told The Weekender that employees were ordered to remain inside and that the Speaker was summoned to come to the office as she was not present when police arrived. “They came in, sealed the building, and no one was allowed in or out. Everyone was in shock,” said one official who asked not to be named. The municipality later confirmed the dramatic events, describing them as a “search and seizure operation informed by allegations levelled against officials.” In a brief statement, NMM apologised to residents for the disruption and instructed staff to return to work on Friday, saying it “remains committed to uninterrupted service delivery to communities.” According to information obtained by The Weekender, investigators appeared particularly interested in files connected to the security-services tender. Police have yet to issue a formal statement on the scope or targets of the probe, but insiders said the contract had been dogged by irregularities since its inception, including changes to specifications, sudden cancellations, and repeated re-advertising. The raid is the latest chapter in the municipality’s long-running governance crisis. In April 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission found that NMM had violated residents’ rights in Agisanang, Jachtkraal Farm, Delareyville and Letsopa by denying them access to clean water and sanitation. Earlier this year, the Department of Water and Sanitation suspended R87-million in emergency funding after uncovering irregular supply-chain practices and political interference. Successive Auditor-General reports from 2023 and 2024 cited the municipality for unauthorised expenditure, weak financial controls and failure to act against wrongdoing. Despite repeated provincial interventions, its financial position continues to deteriorate. Sources within the municipality confirmed that investigators removed boxes of documents, laptops and storage devices from several senior offices. Early indications suggest the operation forms part of the Madlanga Commission-related investigation, focusing specifically on security-related expenditure. Police are expected to analyse the seized material before making formal pronouncements. SAPS said only that the raid formed part of “an ongoing investigation” and that “due processes will follow.” No arrests have yet been confirmed. Post navigation Harmony secures full ownership of CSA copper mine Labour department expands skills pathways
