Controversial South African pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng has been drawn into fresh scrutiny after Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina disclosed that a company associated with him received approximately R6.5 million in Rand Water contracts over just four months.
The payments, made between November 2025 and February 2026, covered venue hire for four Rand Water events. The utility has since referred the matter for an internal fact-finding review following allegations concerning the contracts.
Parliamentary Question Reveals Millions Paid to Mboro-Linked Company
Details of the contracts emerged after MK Party MP Visvin Reddy submitted a parliamentary question asking whether South African water boards had awarded tenders to Mboro’s company, Incredible Happenings (Pty), during the previous decade.
Majodina’s written response revealed four transactions involving Rand Water during the 2025/26 financial year.
Together, the venue contracts were worth approximately R6.5 million and were awarded within a period of about four months.
R3.8 Million Venue Contract Was Largest Payment
The biggest of the disclosed transactions occurred on December 5, 2025, when Rand Water spent approximately R3.8 million on venue rental.
That payment followed a R2.3 million venue expense on November 3.
Three days later, on November 6, another R213,000 was spent, while a further R21,000 contract followed in February 2026.
The venues were used for four Rand Water events, including activities such as long-service awards and training.
According to Majodina’s parliamentary response, the contracted venue services were delivered and all four events were completed.
Rand Water Opens Independent Fact-Finding Review
Despite confirming that the services were provided, Rand Water has launched an internal examination of the matter.
Majodina’s office said the utility’s Integrity and Probity Assurance Business Unit was conducting an independent fact-finding review after the issue was referred by Supply Chain Management on September 1, 2026.
The investigation follows allegations of wrongdoing surrounding the contracts.
The existence of the review does not establish that Mboro, his company or Rand Water officials committed any wrongdoing.
Investigators Examining Possible Links to Witness Mazanga
One issue under examination is whether there is any connection between Mboro and businessman and pastor Witness Mazanga.
Mazanga has separately attracted scrutiny over lucrative government-linked contracts, including tenders involving Johannesburg’s City Power.
According to Majodina’s response, management referred the matter for review to determine whether any link existed between Mazanga and the entity allegedly associated with him.
The investigation is therefore expected to examine the relationships surrounding the contracts in addition to the procurement process itself.
Mboro Says He Was Unaware of Investigation
Mboro declined to provide a substantive response when approached for comment.
“Iyooo, I wasn’t aware about this, no comment,” he said in a text message.
He added: “Eish I under watch for 24/7.”
The pastor did not address the individual contracts, the amounts paid or the allegations that prompted Rand Water’s investigation.
MK Party MP Demands Hawks and SIU Scrutiny
Reddy welcomed the decision to investigate but argued that an internal Rand Water process might not be sufficient.
The MK Party MP said that if evidence of criminality or serious procurement irregularities emerged, the matter should be referred to independent investigative bodies such as the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit.
“The minister’s decision to refer the matter for an internal investigation is an acknowledgement that the issues raised require scrutiny,” Reddy said.
He described the internal review as an important first step but argued that it should not necessarily represent the final stage of the investigation.
Reddy Raises Possibility of Corruption and Bid Manipulation
Reddy said investigators should establish whether the procurement involved corruption, fraud, bid manipulation, conflicts of interest or improper influence.
He did not present those possibilities as established facts.
Instead, he argued that if evidence supporting any of those concerns emerged, independent law-enforcement agencies should become involved where their legal mandates applied.
“Public institutions cannot investigate themselves behind closed doors and then expect parliament and the public simply to accept that everything is fine,” Reddy said.
Water Crisis Used to Question Public Spending
Reddy linked the controversy to South Africa’s wider challenges surrounding water supply and infrastructure.
He argued that the amounts flowing through the water sector require greater scrutiny at a time when many South Africans continue experiencing unreliable water services.
“This is bigger than one company or one tender. South Africans are sitting without reliable water while enormous amounts of public money move through the water sector. Every rand must be accounted for,” he said.
The MP said he intended to continue pursuing the contracts through parliamentary channels.
Completed Services Remain Central to Rand Water’s Position
Majodina’s response makes clear that Rand Water says the contracted services were actually delivered.
All four events took place during the 2025/26 financial year, according to the minister, and the venue services associated with the payments were completed.
That distinction could become significant as investigators assess whether the concern relates to pricing, procurement procedures, relationships between individuals or some other aspect of the contracts.
No finding of procurement misconduct has yet been announced.
R6.5 Million Contracts Now Face Closer Examination
The controversy places another spotlight on procurement practices involving South African state entities.
For now, the confirmed facts are that Incredible Happenings received venue-related contracts from Rand Water worth roughly R6.5 million across four transactions, that the contracted events were completed and that the utility has subsequently opened an internal fact-finding review.
Reddy maintains that the matter should go further if investigators uncover evidence suggesting criminal conduct.
“If everything was above board, the investigation should establish that,” he said.
“But if public money was manipulated to benefit connected individuals, those responsible must face the full consequences of the law.”
Until the review is completed, the allegations surrounding the procurement remain unproven, and no criminal finding against Mboro or his company has been established.
