Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority Manager Arrested for Corruption

In a significant clampdown on corruption within government institutions, the Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority’s District Manager was apprehended on charges of corruption. The 53-year-old official was arrested on Friday, August 16, 2024, by detectives of the Bethlehem-based Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) unit and is due to face the allegations in court.

The arrest was made at the district offices in Bethlehem, where an operation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, took place. The suspect has been brought into custody amidst allegations of accepting bribes from individuals seeking liquor licenses in the Free State area.

Details of the case reveal that the District Manager reportedly demanded gratification from applicants to expedite their authorisation process. During an investigative visit by the SCI to the official’s office, he was found in possession of R2,000, which is believed to be part of the illicit transaction.

Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, the Free State Head of the Hawks, expressed grave concern over these allegations. The Major General denounced the abuse of power by someone tasked with the responsibility of combating fraud and corruption, emphasizing the need for a strict stance against such internal corruption.

This arrest is part of an ongoing crusade against corruption and it is hoped to serve as a deterrent to those who might abuse positions of power for personal gain. The judicial process is set to commence with the District Manager’s first court appearance on August 19, 2024, in the local Magistrate’s Court.

The case has shone a spotlight on the broader issue of graft within South African state bodies and has highlighted the effectiveness of the investigative arms such as the SCI and Hawks in upholding the law. The Free State community is closely monitoring the proceedings, with many anticipating that justice will prevail.

Civic leaders and anti-corruption activists have welcomed the arrest, calling it a step in the right direction towards cleaning up the state’s systems and restoring public trust in governmental processes, particularly in licensing procedures which have been prone to corruption in the past.

The legal system is now tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the case is handled with integrity and that an appropriate sentence is handed down if the District Manager is found guilty. Moreover, this case may prompt a closer look into the Free State Gambling and Liquor Authority’s operations to prevent future occurrences of such unethical behavior.