Criminal charges rock Plett airport tender

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Municipality has laid criminal charges alleging extortion, bribery and procurement irregularities linked to the Plettenberg Bay Airport tender process, with the allegations potentially involving a number of municipal officials.

Besides two airport tenders, a third tender relating to a development in New Horizons will also form part of the police investigation.

Bitou Mayor Jessica Kamkam, who leads the DA coalition in the council, and Bill Nel, portfolio chairperson for finance and corporate services, accompanied by municipal officials, laid the charges at the Plettenberg Bay Police on Tuesday afternoon, 21 July.

Plettenberg Bay has seen two tenders for the development of the airport, a project valued at up to R1.2b, fail in recent years. In 2024, RSAAero withdrew from the tender process. The municipality paid RSAAero R1.8m and also incurred legal costs of more than R2.5m.

Whistle-blower
The latest tender process, which started in May 2025, was terminated after municipal officials said they had run out of time.

The decision also followed concerns raised during a meeting on 14 July by a whistle-blower, who alleged there was something "fishy" about the preferred bidder.

Kamkam said the whistle-blower handed over a recording and that, based on its contents, she believed there was prima facie evidence warranting a criminal investigation.

"I then had the responsibility to come and lay the charges. We have done extensive forensic investigations within the municipality. We will not tolerate corruption. This is just to show that we are committed to the rule of law and to resolving issues," Kamkam said.

Justice

Nel said the charges against various municipal officials relate to "several" tenders, including the airport project. He said all he could say at this stage was that "a number" of people could be involved, but declined to identify anyone.

He also said the investigation could include the possible involvement of political office-bearers and municipal staff.

Nel said he did not believe the investigation would have an effect on the DA-led coalition governing the council.

"What we will see now is justice being done," he said.

The allegations are now the subject of a police investigation. At the time of publication, no individuals had been publicly identified by the municipality or charged in connection with the matter.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and those who may be implicated are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

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