FREE State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has denied reports of a dispute with Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Dibolelo Mance over the reinstatement of a senior official facing corruption charges amounting to R17.6 million.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Office of the Premier refuted claims published by News24 that Letsoha-Mathae had “overreached herself” in the case involving Khaya Radebe, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s director for supply chain management.
Radebe was charged in March 2024 with “serious allegations of acts of gross misconduct involving an amount of R17 613 073.40”, the statement said.
The charges included fraud, dishonesty, gross negligence and financial misconduct.
A legal report submitted to the department’s newly appointed head Mosa Masimene on 3 December stated that “the department had a solid and winnable case against Mr Radebe”.
The report also highlighted the financial burden of the investigation, which included hiring a forensic firm and two practising advocates.
Despite this, Masimene reportedly instructed the State Attorney on 4 December to withdraw all charges against Radebe “without providing any reasons and overlooking the advice from her legal department”, according to the statement.
A day later, Masimene and Mance reportedly reinstated Radebe “before the charges were officially withdrawn and the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing having applied his mind to the decision”.
Letsoha-Mathae, acting on a request for intervention from former department head Ernest Mohlahlo, wrote to Mance and Masimene seeking an explanation for their decision.
“To date, such clarity and reasons remain unknown to the Premier,” the statement said.
Masimene later indicated she had sought guidance from the Department of Public Service and Administration, but only after Radebe’s reinstatement. – Staff Reporter