It is exciting for Free State Prime Minister Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae.
The Hawks have confirmed they are investigating allegations of corruption and money laundering raised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) against her and her husband Lawrence Mathae, the chairman of the Mangaung Metro Council.
The two are alleged to have accepted bribes to influence a tender.
Letsoha-Mathe and her husband are mentioned in a text message trending on social media. The text message describes how she went back on her promise to a contractor. The message sent directly to her was leaked to her party, the African National Congress (ANC).
In that message, a contractor who allegedly paid bribes to the Prime Minister and her husband to win the tender expressed his displeasure over the termination of his contract.
“At this stage we are investigating allegations and not a specific individual until such time that any evidence collected would have targeted the person of interest to be brought before the court. The latter is done to protect the integrity of the research. It is against this backdrop that we request the public to give the team nominated to handle this case space and time to conduct thorough investigations without any undue pressure,” said Hawks spokesperson Thandi Mbambo.
More organizations have raised their voices against the accusations against the Prime Minister.
Non-profit organization Mangaung Seven, which investigates cases of mismanagement and corruption, has also opened a case against the contractor in question and the head of the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport for failing to exercise due diligence in appointing a contractor who is in conflict. .
“Lately, after we had done our investigation, we went to the police station to file charges of mismanagement, fraud and corruption in the department and in the municipalities. So we opened the case last Friday at Park Road police station. With accusations of mismanagement and appointment of the contractor. So yes, I can… that we have done our investigation and the case has been opened.”
The Democratic Alliance has since filed an affidavit with the Hawks with additional information about the corruption allegations against Letsoha-Mathae.
“We have prepared an affidavit indicating that if these allegations are true, at least 10 criminal activities could have occurred. I have prepared an affidavit and I have also added additional information regarding the contract issued to the person making these allegations and we will submit it to the Hawks requesting that they investigate thoroughly,” said Dr . DA Free State Leader Dr. Roy Jankielsohn.
Letsoha-Mathae is also expected to face her organization’s integrity committee.
Attempts to obtain comment from the ANC in the Free State were unsuccessful.
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