Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The behavior and questionable impartiality of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) affectionately known as the Hawks in Free State is raising eyebrows following the scandal involving Joyce Mathae, Premier of Free State Provincial Government.
Mathae and her husband, Lawrance Mathae, who is a Speaker of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality are fingered in the corruption allegations made public by a businessman and sangoma, Patrick Phuti of New Beginning Project.
With a case (cas 553/10/2024) already opened by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Friday, 11 October 2024, more details and allegations have come to the fore.
According to sources with intimate knowledge, there are other beneficiaries from department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport as Phuti allegedly purchased a Porsche and a Farm from the project money.
STEPUPSANEWS has it on good on that Hawks official had a meeting with Joyce Mathae on Friday and the meeting lasted over 2 hours and it’s alleged the meeting was arranged and coordinated by powers that be.
With this development, it will be interesting to see if the very same office will investigate Mathae.
Lt General Godfrey Lebeya, Head of Hawks did not respond to our questions.
Below are questions we sent to Lebeya:
- It’s alleged your office called Patrick Phuti on Thursday requesting a meeting with him on Friday. Can you confirm or deny this?
- If yes, who called him?
- It’s alleged on Friday, an officer from Free State met with Joyce Mathae, was the meeting sanctioned and official?
- It’s alleged the meeting was organized by (name withheld), if this is true is that lawful and ethical?
- If it’s found to be true would action be taken by your office?
- it’s also alleged a case involving Mathae’s child was swapped under the table. Can you confirm there has never been any case opened against Mathae’s child?
- Lastly, can you confirm if the Hawks are investigating Dibolelo Mahlatsi under fraud and corruption case number P COMM FS OCIU 06/07/2024
This publication was at odds with DPIC in November 2022 after publishing a video and pictures of Hawks officials conducting a raid Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation offices.
That video and pictures showing car registration number and a face of one particular officer caused all the drama.
The video and pictures that we still have were removed from the story after the back and forth with communications team citing “You are exposing our officers to risk”.
When we received death threats after publishing a story related to Community Safety, Roads and Transport few months later and reported the matter, nothing was done by the Hawks, this despite evidence that could have helped them trace those who made the threats.
Even State Security Agency was unleashed on us but we are still standing.
So who police the police?
This is developing story.
If you have news or tips please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
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