The party opened a case at the Parkweg Police Station on Friday (11/10), accusing the couple of illegal dealings with service providers.

The charges are based on a tip-off from a service provider who confessed to alleged corrupt dealings with MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Laurence Mathae, said EFF Provincial Deputy Chairperson, Thomas Macingwane.

In a leaked message, New Beginnings Project CEO, Patrick Phuti, alleged he’d been involved in illegal financial transactions with the couple during the awarding of the Tweespruit road construction contract. In a written message to Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, Phuti claimed the contract was unfairly terminated by the provincial government when she was still MEC for Community Safety, Roads, and Transport.

Free State EFF Members at the Parkweg police station to lay corruption charges against Free State premier and Mangaung speaker. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

The message purportedly also showed the couple accepted bribes worth millions, including a luxury V300 Mercedes Benz and a payment of R400,000 toward the ANC Women’s League Conference. 

These allegations prompted the EFF to take swift action against the premier and her husband, the party said.

“This is just the beginning,” Macingwane declared. “We have opened a criminal case, and now we will file a motion of no confidence in the legislature to remove the premier. We’ll also move to remove the speaker in the Mangaung council. The EFF … won’t allow leaders who are involved in shady dealings to remain in power.”

Macingwane also claimed Letsoha-Mathae had awarded tenders to contractors during her tenure as MEC without following due process, allegedly accepting large bribes through her husband in return. The couple is accused of using these funds for personal benefits, including the purchase of luxury vehicles.

Macingwane said the EFF is meanwhile conducting investigations into other officials. He claimed several leading figures in the Free State ANC were involved in corruption, saying his party plans to open a case against Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Saki Mokwena, accusing him of money laundering and misusing state funds by staying in hotels at inflated costs instead of official housing.

“Corruption and the ANC are inseparable,” Macingwane claimed and vowed to continue exposing corrupt activities in the province. The EFF remains determined to remove the first couple from their current positions and ensure that accountability prevails in the Free State government.

OFM News sent an inquiry to the Premier’s Office.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg