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ActionSA will be filing charges against Free State Premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, her husband, Mangaung Metro Speaker, Lawrence Mathae, former Free State Premier and current Free State Provincial Legislature Speaker, Mxolisi Dukwana, and CEO of New Beginnings, Patrick Phuti, for their involvement in a major corruption scandal. The allegations centre around a questionable tender process for a multi-million-rand construction project, from which these individuals allegedly benefited through substantial payments and lavish gifts, raising serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of the province’s leadership.

The following payments and gifts were reportedly received:

• R1 million in cash to Premier Letsoha-Mathae and her husband.
• Over R400,000 for an event for the Premier and her husband.
• R500,000 in additional payments to the Premier and her husband.
• A Mercedes-Benz V300 Class (black) for the Premier and her husband.
• R600,000 in cash to former Premier Mxolisi Dukwana at a casino in Welkom.
• A BMW for Dukwana’s son.
• R2 million in payments to Dukwana after the first invoice of the road contract.

In addition, Phuti, who exposed the payments, is accused of facilitating these illegal transactions. While Phuti revealed the corruption via social media, his own involvement in making these payments does not absolve him of accountability. His allegations also suggest that Dukwana failed to intervene in the termination of Phuti’s road project, despite receiving significant financial benefits.

In addition, Phuti is accused of facilitating payments to the Premier and her family, allegedly transferring R4.5 million. Phuti himself exposed these transactions via social media, yet his involvement in these illegal payments implicates him in the corruption as well. Exposing the scandal does not absolve him from accountability.

ActionSA will lay charges under the following Sections of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PCCAA), 2004:

• Section 3: General corruption involving the abuse of authority for undue benefits.
• Section 10: Corruption in relation to tenders and contracts, through the manipulation of the tender processes. 
• Section 12: Failure by public officials to report corrupt practices. 

ActionSA will also lay charges under the following Sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), 1998:

• Section 4: Engaging in money laundering through the use or possession of proceeds from unlawful activities. 
• Section 6: Assisting or enabling another to benefit from illicit proceeds. 
• Section 7: Failure to report knowledge of money laundering. 

We call on the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Public Protector to investigate these individuals thoroughly. If found guilty, they must face the full consequences of the law for undermining public trust and contributing to unemployment, poverty, and inequality in the province.

Premier Letsoha-Mathae's previous statements during her State of the Province Address (SOPA), where she vowed to prosecute corrupt officials and declared that "corruption breeds unemployment, poverty, and inequalities," now cast doubt on her own commitment to fighting corruption. If proven guilty, her own words will stand as an indictment of her actions.

At a time when the Free State is struggling with poor service delivery and economic stagnation, largely due to corruption and mismanagement, this scandal underscores the urgent need for transparent, accountable leadership.

ActionSA remains dedicated to holding public officials accountable. The people of the Free State deserve leaders who are committed to serving their interests, not enriching themselves through illicit means. No one is above the law, and corruption must be rooted out, with all involved facing justice.

Issued by ActionSA Free State Chairperson Patricia Kopane