Tender system has allowed Ekurhuleni to be 'captured by gangsters' - Modibe Modiba

A deepening crisis of corruption, criminal networks, and violence within the metro.

That's the grave assessment being given by some on the current situation in Ekurhuleni.

A series of arrests and scathing allegations has put Ekurhuleni’s leadership under scrutiny, thrusting the metro into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

In the last few hours, City Manager Kagiso Lerutla has taken special leave amid a fraud case against him.

Lerutla was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.

The 40-year-old faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice linked to a 2019 traffic-related case.

One of the voices pushing for accountability is political commentator Modibe Modiba, who has been vocal about exposing alleged corruption in the city and demanding action.

Modiba said the situation in his hometown is dire.

"Ekurhuleni has to be one of the worst municipalities we have in the country."

Fingers are not only pointing at Lerutla.

Modiba mentions the assassination of Mpho Mafole last year, a chief auditor for the Ekurhuleni metro who was investigating tenders related to chemical toilets.

Mafole was allegedly told to change the content of his reports during a meeting with leaders in the metro.

"When he refused to change his report, that's when he unfortunately passed away; he was assassinated."

Another name, Moloko Monyepao, has also been linked to wrongdoing, but Modiba suggests he is being used as a scapegoat by the metro.

"He ended up becoming the face of this corruption. The City then says he's caused all these problems."

According to Modiba, Monyepao was, in fact, a whistleblower.

He was placed on precautionary suspension in April 2025 following allegations of negligence.

"The sad thing was, he was about to close the taps for politicians."

Modiba emphasised that the time has come to rethink the tender system.

"It has allowed municipalities to be captured by gangsters."

To listen to Modiba in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click the audio below: