Three senior political figures, including a Free State MEC, who were charged with corruption and money laundering in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court in 2017 for allegedly pocketing R150,000 for a sound system intended for a Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture, have been released on bail.
It is claimed that they stole money intended for a sound system for the lecture, despite the fact that the money was paid.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks) arrested Motshidise Agnes Koloi, the Free State MEC for Social Development, Vusimuzi Rajuili, the Chief Director for the Human Settlement Programme, and Serake Joseph Leeuw, the Political Advisor to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Executive Mayor, on Thursday.
[ Limpopo Maintenance Clerk Found Guilty Of Stealing Child Support Fund ]
They were charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering, and violating the Municipal Finance Management Act when they appeared in court on Friday.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping said the investigation into the matter followed a 2017 inquiry when Koloi was the mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality.
“It is alleged that the trio worked in cahoots to take over R150,000 under the pretext that it would be used for a sound system during a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture. This event never took place despite money being paid,” Shuping said.
“In September 2023, the NPA assessed the docket and evidence before the court and issued warrants of arrest.”
Rajuili and Koloi were released on bail of R10,000 each and Leeuw was granted bail of R5,000.
As part of their bail conditions, the court warned them not to make direct or indirect contact with any State witnesses and not to interfere with the investigations.
The case against the trio was delayed until December 4 so that copies of the docket could be made public.
