Katlego Mokonyane to Pay Back R14 Million in Tender Scandal: South Africa's Corruption Concerns Rise

• South Africans accused the African National Congress’s deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane’s family of being corrupt
• This was after her daughter, Katlego Mokonyane, and her business partner had been ordered to pay back R14 million from an irregularly-awarded tender
• Mokonyane was also accused of receiving kickbacks from Bosasa during her tenure as a minister in 2019

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, contributed coverage of international and local social issues, including health, corruption, education, unemployment, labour, service delivery protests, and immigration in South Africa, during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

GAUTENG— South Africans accused African National Congress Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane’s family of corruption. This was after Mokonyane’s daughter, Katlego Mokonyane, had been ordered to pay back millions from an irregularly awarded tender.

According to IOL, the Special Tribunal ordered Mokonyane and her business partner, Bonelela Mgudlwa, to return the millions uncovered by an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The two obtained the millions from an Mpumalanga Health Department tender in 2020.

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Pay back the millions: Special Tribunal

The SIU uncovered that the Department of Health awarded a tender for surgical masks and medical jumpsuits worth over R14 million. However, the department allegedly only received quotations from their company, Tark Group, in the absence of a Bid Evaluation Committee or Bid Adjudication Committee.

The SIU argued that the two did not disclose a conflict of interest: Mgudlwa did not disclose that he was employed by the SAA Express Airways, and Mokonyane failed to disclose that Nomvula is her mother. However, the duo’s legal teams argued that the non-disclosure of interest did not affect the procurement outcome. They argued that the goods were delivered and their value and quality are not disputed.

However, Special Tribunal Judge David Makhoba said that they did not dispute the allegations that the process was fraught with irregularities. Nomvula Mokonyane also faced allegations of corruption in 2022. The SIU found that she paid R1.6 million from her personal account to supply the department with R200,000 worth of soap for a R2.7 million tender awarded to Tark Group.

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South Africans furious

A wave of criticism swept into the comment section from netizens dissatisfied with the tender deal.

Zitha said:

“Lol, they locked us indoors while chowing money. These people are evil. You can’t convince me otherwise.”

Theee Greatest remarked:

“I’ve always known this. Mpumalanga is one of the most corrupt.”

Nonhlanhla said:

“It must be nice having a mother in the ANC because others were arrested for even lesser amounts.”

Daleen Van Rensburg asked:

“If the consequence is returning the money, what stops this from happening again?”

Saffa asked:

“Why are they not in jail, and why have all their assets not been seized?”

Erna Westdyk said:

“The children are always involved, and the parents always know nothing and don't benefit.”

Anti woke Commentator added:

“Dig deeper, and you’ll find many cases like this that embezzled money during COVID under the guise of supplying products such as PPEs.”

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• A total of 38 individuals linked to R114 million corruption in Mpumalanga were released on a combined bail of over R1.6 million after they were arrested in February 2026. They face accusations of tender corruption.
• The Free State High Court granted the National Prosecuting Authority a court order to sell luxury homes and a vehicle linked to the Free State asbestos tender case. The properties include houses in Sandton and Randburg, and a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG.
• The Managing Director of Medicare24 was arrested in connection with the irregularly-awarded R360 million tender from the South African Police Service. His arrest followed the arrest of 12 senior police officers for the same contract.

Source: Briefly News