Centlec CEO and Metro City Manager received death threats

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The death of former Centlec Chief Executive Officer, Andries Mgoqi on Friday has not only sent shockwaves but opened a can of worms.

In a video seen by this publication, the assailant walked passed Mgoqi who was standing with a friend outside his tavern, and got shot multiple times even when he was already on the floor.

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At the time of his passing Mgoqi and Centlec were embroiled in a legal case and it was in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Luthando Tshangana of Tshangana and Associates explained the matter in detail.

“We are the attorneys of Centlec and have been dealing with the matters of Centlec // Mgoqi under case no: A52/2023.

This matter is still pending and was to be heard before the full bench of the High Court on the 2nd August 2024. The matter was ready to be heard, and heads of arguments were already exchanged between parties as the matter was supposed to be heard last year on 27 November 2023 but the matter could not proceed as one of the judges was requested to recuse himself as he once granted the order in favor of Centlec in one of the matters of Centlec // Mgoqi.

This matter comes from the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2023 where leave to appeal was granted in favour of Centlec under case no: 1249/2022 as there are prospects of success from an erroneous judgment of Judge Mathebula. The matter in a nutshell was still sub judice and was to be determined by the full bench on the 2nd August 2024.

It is not true that Mr Mgoqi was supposed to go back to Centlec this Monday and report on duty.”

Tshangana sent his condolences to the Mpogi family.

“We are also shattered by the sad news of gruesome death. May the soul of Ntate Mgoqi rest in peace.“

While the news of his murder is shocking, it always shows that Free State is the new KwaZulu Natal where rent-for-murder is the order of the day.

Just last month, Simon Thulo, a renowned Supply Chain practitioner was shot at close range and luckily for him, he survived but no arrest made.

Step UP has it on good authority that Malefane Sekoboto, Centlec Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Sello More, City Manager (CM) of Mangaung Metropolitan have also received death threats with South African Police Services (SAPS) even confirming the threats after texts were sent to Sekoboto.

In March 2021, the power utility board raised alarm over the R23 million contract entered into between Centlec and Vodacom which according to sources, put Sekoboto, his family, and parents on the receiving end of threats.

In one of the texts, the location of his house, the place of work of his wife, and the physical address of his parents are mentioned.

Major General Makhele of Crime Intelligence is of the view that Sekoboto is under threat and needs to be provided with 2 or 3 protectors.

This is a developing story.

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