A company that won a R1billion fleet contract with the City of Johannesburg allegedly paid for a tractor that Julius Malema “gifted” a community in Limpopo, amaBhungane reports.
AmaBhungane previously reported that Afrirent paid Mahuna Investments, a company linked to Malema, R500,000.
This was just before Afrirent scored the fleet rental contract despite reportedly scoring badly in the procurement process.
This led to allegations that the payment was a “kickback” to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for helping Afrirent win the contract, amaBhungane reported.
It was alleged at the time that EFF was using its bargaining power in municipalities to influence procurement processes.
Both EFF and Afrirent denied the allegations.
‘New evidence’
However, amaBhungane claims new evidence links Malema, EFF and Afrirent despite the denials.
Vukani Agri, the supplier of the tractor that Malema donated, reportedly confirmed that Afrirent paid for it.
An unnamed Vukani Agri representative told the investigative journalism unit:
The tractor was bought from us and we were asked that we deliver it very urgently just before Christmas.
We were told the tractor was a donation to a community in Polokwane. Afrirent paid in full.
We were given the address where we had to deliver, and the next thing there was an article in the media with Malema on the tractor.
Vukani Agri representative
However, Afrirent denied making “any donation to any political party in exchange for contracts.”
EFF leader Malema and the party have not commented on the latest allegations.
‘Work the land’
The EFF posted pictures on social media of Malema donating the tractor to the Seshego community, where he hails from, in December 2018.
It said in a tweet, “CIC @Julius_S_Malema gifted the community of Seshego with a tractor which will make it possible for them to work the land.”
A few days later, Malema donated a similar tractor to Ward 10 in Blood River, Limpopo.