Free State MEC Faces Corruption, Fraud, and Money Laundering Charges in Court

High-ranking province official, Free State MEC for Social Development, Motshidise Koloi, made a court appearance facing serious charges of corruption and fraud. Joined by the Chief Director for Human Settlements, Vusimuzi Rajuili, and Serake Leeuw, a political advisor to the mayor of the Matjhabeng Local Council, the trio face additional charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act, and money laundering.

National Prosecuting Authority's spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, said the case was postponed to December 4, 2023, to allow completion of the docket after their arrest by the Hawk - an elite crime-fighting unit in South Africa - last week.

Shuping revealed the charges originated from a 2017 investigation while MEC Koloi was still the Executive Mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality. The accused were allegedly involved in a scheme to misappropriate over R150,000 earmarked for a sound system for a Nelson Mandela Memorial lecture. The event, however, never took place, though the funds were disbursed.

Shuping stated the NPA decided to issue arrest warrants last month after uncovering the suspected malfeasance. Rajuili and Koloi were released on R10,000 bail each, while Leeuw received R5,000 bail. The bail conditions are stringent including no contact with state witnesses, and non-interference with ongoing investigations.