ActionSA has called on Free State Premier to take action against the Social Development MEC.

The call follows the fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act charges against MEC Motshidisi Koloi (52), who was arrested alongside other two co-accused Thursday (12/10).

It's alleged that Koloi and the Chief Director at the Department of Human Settlements, Vusimuzi Rajuili (54), alongside a political advisor to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Serake Leeuw (62), colluded to use R150 000 belonging to Moqhaka Local Municipality under the guise that the money would be spent on a sound system used during a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture in 2017. At the time, Rajuili was a service provider, Leeuw was a manager at Koloi’s office, and she was the mayor of Moqhaka.

Free State Social Development MEC and co-accused arrested for fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Photo: HAWKS

ActionSA provincial leader, Patricia Kopane, said Premier Mxolisi Dukwana must relieve Koloi from her duties until her criminal case has been finalised.

“The scale of corruption in this country has cost us dearly without the pervasive corruption hollowing out our state institutions, South Africa’s development would have been at a significantly more advanced stage. This is the reason why corruption must be treated as enemy number one and South Africa must have zero tolerance approach to any corruption,” said Kopane.

Action SA leader in the Free State, Patricia Kopane, during Thabo Bester's court case in Bloemfontein. Photo: OFM News

The trio appeared before the Kroonstad magistrate on Friday (13/10) and were released on bail of R5,000 to R10,000 respectively. Their case was transferred to the special crimes court where it was postponed to 4 December 2023.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi