R23 Million Water Project Under Corruption Cloud

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – A whistleblower has raised serious questions over a R23 million water project in Welkom, claiming the project bears the hallmarks of fraud and corruption.

The news relate to a project valued at R23 million, contrary to the R25 million figure previously mentioned by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements.

The controversy follows the introduction of a Mpumalanga-based company by MEC Sulky Mokoena during a project announcement on 11 June 2026.

Documents seen by this publication include a lease agreement reflecting 1 January 2025 as the commencement date, suggesting the agreement would have had to be concluded in 2024.

However, according to the whistleblower, they were only contacted in 2025, after the lease was purportedly due to commence.

The discrepancy has raised suspicions that the lease agreement has been backdated.

“Mr. Tshepo Calvin Legodi contacted me and informed me that there was a strong possibility of securing work from the Department of Human Settlements in the Free State. He requested my address so that the process could move forward quickly,” he said.

In addition, an appointment letter in the possession of this publication reflects 9 May 2025 as the date on which the acceptance letter was received.

Within months, an invoice was submitted and payments were made for site establishment.

The whistleblower further alleged that bribes were paid during the procurement process. These allegations, including how money allegedly changed hands, will be examined in subsequent reports.

He further said Legodi called him about the meeting they had with Dr Ramorena.

“He called again to inform me that he had met with Mr. Ramorena Sapoki, Chief Director, in Menlyn Park, Pretoria.

During that meeting, they agreed on a contract worth R23 million, with R1 million allocated as payment and R500,000 for the consultant.

Those kickbacks were to pave way for securing more jobs from DHS as it is indeed happening.”

When approached for comment, Chief Director of Human Settlements Dr. Sapoky Ramorena referred this publication to the department’s spokesperson. Departmental spokesperson Tshepo Legodi said he has rented property in Welkom.

“I do not have operate from formal commercial offices in Free State. I work remotely from home and have a rented residential property in the Free State from which work- related activities may occasionally be conducted.“

He denied any allegation that he paid Dr Ramorena.

“I unequivocally deny this allegation. No such event ever occurred. Neither Dr Ramorena nor any person acting on his behalf has ever requested that I transfer money into any account.“

This is a developing story.

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