Limpopo Premier’s Office Denies Allegations That Phophi Ramathuba Is Involved in Corruption

• The office of Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba denied allegations that Ramathuba granted irregular payments at the Mokgalakwena Municipality
• An account purported to belong to the Municipal Manager alleged that Ramathuba compelled the municipal manager to make the irregular payments
• The municipal manager distanced himself from the account, and the Premier's office slammed the allegations

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

POLOKWANE, LIMPOPO — The office of Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and the Mokgalakwena Municipality Manager Morris Maluleka distanced themselves on 18 August 2025 from allegations that they made irregular payments.

X user Lerato Pillay tweeted the allegations made against Ramathuba and Maluleke on her @LeratoPillayZA X account on August 18. Pillay alleged that she received information from Maluleka, who confessed to carrying out numerous corrupt transactions on behalf of Ramathuba's companies. The alleged municipal manager also implicated Limpopo's MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu.

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He also alleged that he hired their family members into the municipality worth over R60 million. He claimed that the Municipality's Chief Financial Officer resigned in July after facing pressure from the Hawks.

Read the X tweet here:

What did Ramathuba's office say?

In a statement, Ramathuba's office said a fake account posted the information on 4 August and was subsequently deactivated. Another account was created under the name of Maluleke. The Municipality and Maluleke distanced themselves from the fake account and opened a case of cyberbullying on 15 August.

"In response to these defamatory claims, the Premier had escalated the matter to law enforcement agencies to investigate the origins of these baseless allegations. Additionally, the Premier implores these agencies to ensure the safety and protection of the Municipal Manager of the Mokgalakwena Municipality and these troubling circumstances," the statement read.

Government officials under fire for alleged corruption

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Six officials from the Bushbuckridge Municipality are facing disciplinary action after the Public Protector found that politically-connected candidates were given jobs even though they did not have the required qualifications for the posts.

The suspended CEO of the Independent Development Trust, Tebigo Malaka, was allegedly caught on camera trying to bribe Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh. Malaka reportedly tried to bribe the journalist to prevent him from investigating one of her properties.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on X had questions and discussed the allegations.

Cubunglashe asked:

"Is the Premier's company doing work for government institutions irrespective of when?"

May god be with SA said:

"Too much smoke here. Only a forensic investigation by an independent agency will expose the fire."

Madcidimalo ssif:

"ANC admitting that it's corrupt to the core. It just changes fsve hre andf thrr, from time to time."

Afrolicious asked:

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"How do they know it's misleading if they haven't investigated?"

Bongani asked:

"Why is the Premier stealing the public's money?"

5 Gauteng Liquor Board officials fired for corruption

In a related article, Briefly News reported that five officials from the Gauteng Liquor Board were fired for corruption and subsequently charged. The crackdown came after business owners complained about their conduct.

Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile said on 15 June 2025 that the five members had been charged for complicity in corruption. He added that a committee of inquiry will be established to investigate corruption and fraudulent activities in the Gauteng Liquor Board.

Source: Briefly News