By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
- Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba denies R1-billion corruption claims at Mogalakwena Municipality calling social media posts fake and misleading.
- The provincial government says a fake social media account falsely claimed the municipal manager was forced to spend billions and hire premier’s relatives.
Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba has distanced herself and her office from claims of corruption worth over R1-billion at the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo.
On Monday morning, a social media post which is said to have been posted by Mogalakwena Local Municipality Municipal Manager, Morris Maluleka, claimed that Ramathuba together with the MEC of COGHSTA, Biaskop Makamu are involved in corrupt activities at the Mogalakwena local municipality.
“We have indeed spent more than R1-billion within a year, because I was told to do so. I am going to post all the invoices and the companies I was telling Mr. Ngomana who resigned on 28 July due to the pressures we are receiving from the Hawks to process,” reads a social media post which is claimed to have been updated by Maluleka.
The social media post also said that both Ramathuba and Makamu have also told or forced Maluleka to employ their relatives at the municipality.
But Limpopo Provincial Government spokesperson, Ndavhe Ramakuela said the social media account is ‘fake’ and it is spreading reckless and misleading information.
“A fake account was created that falsely appeared to be written by the municipal manager Mr Maluleka. When the Mogalakwena municipality issued a statement to distance itself from this and opened a case of cyber bullying on 15 August 2025, the story shifted to a parody account on X known as @generalmkhawanaz (commissioner general Mkhwanazi,” said Ramakuela.
Ramakuela said that the office of the premier wants to be clear that all the claims made against Ramathuba and Makamu are false.
“These claims are entirely false and they reflect a basic misunderstanding of how the government works. Municipal councils and their municipal managers operate independently and do not report to the premier or the MEC,” said Ramakuela.
Ramakuela also told Scrolla.Africa that municipal managers have got powers to refuse or report any illegal orders, even if such orders come from those who held powers in the government.
“It is important to know that the South African government operates within a law framework that shows the different and connected roles of each sphere. There is no legal authority allowing the premier or MEC to tell managers on operational tasks,” said Ramakuela.
But the social media post also claimed that it will not be silenced from exposing all corruption happening at the municipality.
“No matter how many times they try to silence me, I will continue exposing the rot and corruption that has damaged Mogalakwena. The people deserve answers, and I will not stop until every detail is out in the open,” states the post.
Ramakuela further said that the social media account in question has made claims that premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba was involved in the signing of payments going over millions of rands by the municipal manager to companies linked to both the premier and the Makamu.
Attempts by Scrolla.Africa to find out from Maluleka if indeed he is the one who posted the claims on Social Media failed. Also attempts to find from the South African Police services or Hawks on whether the account by ‘Maluleka’ is fake or not failed.
Pictured above: Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
Image source: Supplied
