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

Five suspects, including a City of Johannesburg supply chain management deputy director, face fraud, theft and money laundering charges linked to a R172 million fire truck tender.

A City of Johannesburg supply chain management deputy director and four directors and engineers linked to a company contracted to supply specialised fire trucks have appeared in court on fraud, theft and money laundering charges involving more than R172 million.

Jimmy Palabadi Maluleke, 57, a deputy director in the City’s Supply Chain Management division, appeared with Reiner Jacobus Janse Van Rensburg, 66, Johan Ernest Van Der Merwe, 66, Mcebisi Rudolph Mlonzi, 55, and Ndzonelelo Precious Mtyi, 51, in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The five face eight counts of fraud, eight alternative counts of theft and money laundering charges stemming from a multi-million Rand tender awarded by the City of Johannesburg to TFM (Pty) Ltd in May 2016.

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 department.

“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.

“It is further alleged that between September and November 2019 TFM (Pty) Ltd continued issuing numerous invoices to the City of Johannesburg, which resulted in payments of more than R172 million to the entity.” 

The allegations mean 25 of the 40 specialised vehicles contracted for were not delivered, according to the Hawks’ account of the case.

Six warrants of arrest were authorised on September 16.

According to the Hawks, three suspects were subsequently arrested while two handed themselves over to authorities on Thursday.

“Amongst those arrested is the City of Johannesburg Supply Chain Management deputy director Jimmy Maluleke and four directors and engineers at TFM (Pty) Ltd,” Mavimbela said.

The Hawks did not provide details in the statement about the sixth person for whom an arrest warrant was authorised.

All five accused made their first appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

They were each granted bail of R10,000.

The case was postponed to October 28, 2026.