Pule Mabe Faces Asset Recovery After Tribunal Rejects Bid To Halt SIU Action
The Special Tribunal has dismissed ANC politician Pule Mabe’s application to stop the SIU from pursuing civil recovery proceedings against assets linked to an alleged R27 million tender benefit.
Senior African National Congress (ANC) politician Pule Mabe faces the possible loss of his Porsche Carrera and property in Steyn City after the Special Tribunal rejected his attempt to halt the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) preservation order over his assets.
The SIU has alleged that Mabe unlawfully benefited from an irregular R27 million Gauteng government tender awarded to his company, Enviro Mobi. The contract involved the supply of three-wheel waste collection vehicles.
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The tribunal’s dismissal allows the SIU’s civil recovery action against assets it alleges were acquired with proceeds linked to the tender to proceed.
The matter is separate from the criminal case against Mabe and his associates, which is still before the Palm Ridge Specialised Court.
Tribunal Rejects Mabe’s Challenge
Mabe approached the Special Tribunal seeking to have the preservation order against his assets halted.
His argument was that the SIU should wait until the criminal proceedings against him had been concluded before pursuing action against his property and other assets.
The tribunal rejected that argument, finding that the application lacked merit. It also found that the application amounted to an attempt to delay the administration of justice.
The ruling means the SIU can continue with its civil recovery proceedings while the criminal matter remains pending.
SIU Investigation Led To Criminal Referral
The SIU investigated the Gauteng tender and concluded in 2024 that Mabe had unlawfully benefited from the contract awarded to Enviro Mobi.
Following the investigation, the SIU referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration of criminal prosecution.
Mabe and his associates were arrested in October 2024. Their criminal proceedings remain ongoing at the Palm Ridge Specialised Court.
SIU Welcomes Tribunal Decision
The SIU welcomed the Special Tribunal’s decision to dismiss Mabe’s application.
The ruling represents a further step in the agency’s efforts to preserve and recover assets that it alleges are connected to the proceeds of unlawful conduct.
The criminal proceedings and the SIU’s civil recovery action will proceed separately, with the tribunal’s latest decision removing Mabe’s challenge to the preservation order.
