By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae distances herself from allegations of corruption involving a multimillion-rand road tender.
The contract was awarded last year when Letsoha-Mathae was still MEC for public works and roads.
“The premier wishes to categorically distance herself from these malicious and unfounded allegations levelled against her and implores the individual or individuals from the said establishment to approach law enforcement agencies to lay charges in support of his allegations,” Free State government statement said.
Fullview understands the corrupt dealings involves MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and her husband Laurence Mathae.
In a leaked message, New Beginnings Project CEO, Patrick Phuti, alleged he’d been involved in illegal financial transactions with the couple during the awarding of the Tweespruit road construction contract.
In a written message to Premier Letsoha-Mathae, Phuti claimed the contract was unfairly terminated by the provincial government when she was still MEC for Community Safety, Roads, and Transport.
The message purportedly also showed the couple accepted bribes worth millions, including a luxury V300 Mercedes Benz and a payment of R400,000 toward the ANC Women’s League Conference.
These allegations prompted the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to take swift action against the premier and her husband, the party said.
“This new premier is not the fresh face of hope; she is merely the latest link in the corrupt chain that has held this province back for far too long. We have never had any confidence in Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae.
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.
She said fighting corruption and ensuring good governance are critical in maintaining the integrity and functionality of government.
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) said, the allegations indicate that the Free State remains fraught with allegations of factional-based corruption and state capture that require investigation by law enforcement agencies.
“In this respect, the ANC will never regain its credibility and continues to prove that it is inherently corrupt and divided and will never be able to self-correct, said the DA in a statement.”