No end in sight to Malema's troubles

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has instructed the Limpopo government to suspend contracts awarded to On Point Engineering, the company linked to Malema, says a Business Day report. Malema's disciplinary hearing, brought by the ANC, came after allegations that he received commission for facilitating state contracts in Limpopo, notes the report which says Madonsela is also investigating how the contracts were awarded to companies linked to Malema. Madonsela said her investigators had created a 'web of who is related to whom' in trying to piece together the companies and individuals associated with On Point. The report says she had asked for a temporary cessation of the contracts as a precautionary measure. Her instruction was intended to minimise risk and avoid a situation where the contracts would need to be reversed when their implementation was advanced. The outcome of the Public Protector's probe is expected before the end of the year, according to a report on the News24 site. During the probe, questions would also be asked about the involvement of Malema's Ratanang Family Trust. The Hawks are also investigating Malema. Full Business Day report Full report on the News24 site

Malema's associates, too, are feeling the heat. The Hawks briefly detained Malema ally Jacob Lebogo in their probe of corruption, fraud and money laundering involving millions of rand in tenders, claims a report in The Sunday Independent. It says ANCYL Limpopo secretary Lebogo was detained for questioning as soon as he left his Polokwane home almost two months ago. The paper quotes it sources as saying Lebogo was found with about R2m cash on his person. Lebogo's brief detention was part of a province-wide investigation into tender irregularities in Limpopo, which are alleged to benefit Malema and his close allies. The report says the Hawks will decide later whether to press charges against Lebogo. 'The idea (reason for not charging him yet) is to check whether he will be useful in the case against Malema or if his is a stand-alone case that must be pursued as such. But he could prove to be a useful pawn later,' the paper quotes its source as saying. A report on the News24 site notes the ANCYL in Limpopo yesterday said the reports were false, and it was supporting Lebogo. 'We stand firm behind him and encourage any individual who believes they may have any credible information of any misdemeanours to approach any law enforcement authorities with that information.' Full report in The Sunday Independent Full report on the News24 site

The tycoon who took Malema along on his wedding junket to Mauritius also deposited piles of cash into Malema's trust fund. City Press reports that property mogul David Mabilu's Vharanani Properties has on more than one occasion paid amounts exceeding R100 000 into the account of the Ratanang Family Trust. According to the report, a Limpopo businessman claims to have paid money into the trust as a reward for Malema assisting him in winning a government tender. Malema has since claimed the trust only receives donations from business people to assist him with welfare projects. The report says the trust and other accounts linked to Malema are now under intense scrutiny by the Hawks. Full City Press report

The head of the Mpumalanga Health Department was allegedly summarily suspended for a tender awarded to a company with ties to Malema, a Beeld report says. According to the report, Premier David Mabuza acted firmly against Jerry Mahlangu, but none of the role players would say what was allegedly wrong with the R120m tender Isibonelo Waste Solutions received. 'We are still waiting for Mabuza's guidance,' the report quotes his spokesperson as saying. Full Beeld report