FREE STATE MEC FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHERS APPEAR IN COURT
Free State MEC for Social Development Ms Motshidise Agnes Koloi (52), Chief Director for Human Settlement Programme Mr Vusimuzi Rajuili (54), and Political Advisor to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Mr Serake Joseph Leeuw (62) made an appearance in the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 13 October 2023 facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The case against the trio was postponed to 04 December 2023 for copies of the docket.
They were arrested on Thursday, 12 October 2023 by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Serious Corruption Investigation. The investigation into the matter follows a 2017 enquiry when MEC Koloi was the Executive 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.
In September 2023, the NPA assessed the docket and evidence before 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. Part of their bail conditions is that they must not contact state witnesses, directly or indirectly, and they must not interfere with the investigations.
