By OBAKENG MAJE
30 October 2025- The South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force members have confiscated some documents from the embattled Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in Mahikeng on Thursday morning. The STF members stormed into the municipal offices and closed the gates before conducting a search.
Even though the details surrounding the search are still sketchy, the SAPS national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the search was part of ongoing investigation regarding corruption, fraud and maladministration at the municipality.
“The operation was led by the national SAPS cold case investigators and the Special Task Force (STF) members related to search and seizure. The operation is about allegations of an ongoing investigation on corruption, fraud and maladministration in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality. This is a first of many operations to come in addressing these allegations.
“The investigations are at the advanced and sensitive stage,” she said.
There are irregular expenditure allegations regarding R10 billion allocation for water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe said in a statement that they can confirm that the South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted a search and seizure operation informed by allegations levelled against officials. Molefe said the municipality sincerely apologised for the inconvenience caused to critical municipal services, but they had to allow due processes to unfold.
“Therefore, all municipal officials are required to resume duty on 31 October 2025, at 7:45am and allow the law enforcement processes to speak,” he said.
The Guardian 