When the police have finished talking to Letsoha-Mathae and her husband, the ANC may be at the door.
Free State Prime Minister Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae’s troubles could get much worse amid reports that both the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and her political bosses are investigating her for alleged corruption.
The Citizen reported this last week how Letsoha-Mathae and her husband, Mangaung Metro Speaker Lawrence Mathae, were accused of taking money for favors in a multimillion-rand road tender.
Letsoha-Mathae was MEC for public works and roads at the time.
The Free State government said Letsoha-Mathae had distanced herself from the “malicious and baseless allegations”, while her husband branded them “defamatory”.
Letsoha-Mathae wanted by law enforcement and the ANC
But City Press reported on Sunday that the Hawks now had their eyes on the pair and wanted to interview the pair.
When the police are done talking to them, the ANC may be next at the door.
The newspaper said the ANC is investigating possible disciplinary action against the pair and plans to call on the prime minister to respond to the allegations.
Sources said the integrity committee has gathered information on the matter and believes it can be argued that Letsoha-Mathae violated the party’s rules.
Opposition political parties have also called for action against the pair, with the EFF in the province opening a corruption case against the pair and Cope calling for Letsoha-Mathae’s immediate resignation.
Why was I offside?
In WhatsApp messages seen by The citizenNew Beginnings CEO Patrick Phuti claimed he gave the pair two luxury cars and spent large sums of money to help the Prime Minister organize events.
He was given a road contract that was later terminated by the provincial government.
“The reason for my message is to try to find out why I have been treated so poorly by you. After supporting the organization and the Mathae family with the project, I received support from the Roads and Transport Department.
“After so many transactions I did for the Mathae family, I was suddenly stopped from the project that benefited you and your husband.
“I paid bills and transported people who came with you to the Women’s League conference, I bought a car for the Mathae family, [Mercedes] V 300 Class black to be precise, I paid over R400,000 for your event when you launched the same project but today it is as if nothing ever happened,” he claimed in the messages.
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Dukwana also accused
Former Free State Premier and current Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Mxolisi Dukwana was also involved in the case, accused of failing to intervene in the project from which he allegedly benefited.
Phuti said he had given Dukwana, who was premier of the Free State at the time, and his family money and gifts.
“I gave you cash worth R600,000 in a casino in Welcome before I got the project. I bought your son a BMW.
“Before my contract was terminated, I spoke with you about the matter of my impending termination. You assured me that you would speak to the former MEC [Member of the Executive Council] Mathae. However, that did not happen, because I have now been kicked out of the project.”
Free State Legislature spokesperson Life Mokone acknowledged this The citizen‘s request for comment in response to the allegations. Once the response is received, it will be recorded.
Phuti also claimed to have given Dukwana R2 million after the first invoice of the road contract.
“Yet you failed to defend me against former MEC Mathae. This [R2 million payment] was part of the money that made the project suffer. After I told you that the project was suffering, I told you that I took money from Bafokeng Funeral Parlor so that I could maintain the project while you were still Prime Minister.
“Your silence shows that perhaps you were part of the Mathae family that wanted me off the project.
“When I think about all this, my heart breaks because I protected you and your son from all these things,” Phuti further claimed.
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Letsoha-Mathae ‘a corruption breaker’
During her State of the Province address in August, Letsoha-Mathae warned that corrupt government officials would be handed over to law enforcement and prosecuted.
“Under my watch, corrupt officials will be handed over to the police and prosecuted. Corruption leads to unemployment, poverty and inequality.
“We will strengthen our partnership with the Public Service Commission and law enforcement agencies to combat corruption and mismanagement,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
Additional reporting by Faizel Patel
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