Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae Under Investigation For Alleged Corruption

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae came under the lens of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) as well as political leaders as they are investigating her for alleged corruption.

Letsoha-Mathae and her husband, Mangaung Metro Speaker Lawrence Mathae, were accused of taking money for favors related to a multimillion-rand road tender last week. At the time, Letsoha-Mathae was the MEC for public works and roads.

The Free State government stated that Letsoha-Mathae has distanced herself from what she called "malicious and unfounded allegations" while her husband described the claims as "defamatory," as per Citizen.

It was reported on Sunday that the Hawks are now focusing on the couple and plan to interview them.

The ANC is considering disciplinary action against Letsoha-Mathae and intends to summon her to respond to the allegations. Sources mentioned that the integrity committee gathered information on the situation and believed that Letsoha-Mathae may have violated the party's rules.

Opposition parties are also calling for action against the couple. The EFF in the province has filed a corruption case against them while Cope is demanding Letsoha-Mathae's immediate resignation.

In WhatsApp messages reviewed by the outlet, the CEO of New Beginnings Patrick Phuti claimed he had given the couple two luxury cars and spent significant money to assist the premier in hosting events.

He also received a road contract, which was later canceled by the provincial government.

"The reason for my message is to try and find out why I got such bad treatment from you. After I had supported the organization and the Mathae family with the project I got from the Department of Roads and Transport," he claimed in the messages. "After so many transactions I made for the Mathae family, all of a sudden I was terminated from the project that benefited you and your husband."

He added, "I have paid invoices and transported people that went with you to the Women's League conference, I bought a car for Mathae family, [Mercedes] V 300 Class black to be specific, I paid over R400 000 for your event when you were launching the same project, but today it's like nothing ever happened."

Speaker of the provincial legislature Mxolisi Dukwana has also been dragged in the issue as he was accused of not intervening in a project from which he allegedly benefited.

Phuti claimed he gave Dukwana, who was the premier of the Free State at the time, and his family money and gifts. He stated that he handed over Dukwana R600,000 in cash at a casino in Welkom before being awarded the project and purchased a BMW for Dukwana's son.

He mentioned that before his contract was canceled, he discussed his upcoming termination with Dukwana, who promised to talk to former MEC Mathae about it. However, Phuti said that did not happen, and he was removed from the project.

Last week, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Integrity Commission signed an agreement to improve governance, ethics and integrity through teamwork.