Manqele has been a revelation since making his PSL debut for Ea Lla Koto last season, firing home 11 league goals to finish the campaign as the third most prolific striker in South Africa's top flight.
That form has seen the 25-year-old attract attention from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but the one-time Bafana Bafana player has opted instead to join the Brazilians.
"We are delighted to have signed a player of Manqele's ability. We believe that he will complement the players that we already have in the team," Downs communications co-ordinator Thulani Thuswa told SuperSport.
"He is a good striker, whose off the ball movements impressed our technical team."
Manqele will link up with his new team-mates when the club kick-off their pre-season campaign in July.