LiquorLicenceGate: Employee arrested

Staff reporter

Bethlehem – The arrest of Alinah Mohapi who allegedly facilitated the transfer of money between a licence applicant and Moruli Gift Poli, an official from Bethlehem Liquor Board has lifted a lit on what might be the biggest license scandal.

According to Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations, Alinah Mohapi received money from the applicant and transferred it to Poli.

“It is alleged that during November 2023 and January 2024, the complainant met a liquor board official who informed her that he could arrange a liquor licence for her if she paid an amount of R30 000 to him. The complainant agreed and paid R5 000 in cash.The complainant was given banking details where the outstanding R25 000 was to be deposited. It is the bank account that belongs to the suspect.

The outstanding amount of R25 000 was indeed paid. The liquor board official, however, failed to deliver the license as agreed. The complainant then reported the matter to the Hawks. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the R25 000 received by the 30-year-old suspect was transferred to the bank account of the liquor board official. The suspect is expected to appear before the Bethlehem Magistrates Court on Monday, 25 November 2024, for corruption.”

Both Mohapi and Poli were arrested and made their first appearance on Monday, 25 November 2024, and have been in custody pending bail hearing.

Last year, three officials were found guilty by a Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority disciplinary hearing were fired. They are Kennedy Mahlatsi, Bafana Mashinini and Papi Magashule.

The trio were expelled after disciplinary hearing found them guilty of being complicit in issuing fraudulent licences.

It’s not clear if the department and tourism board will conduct an audit of all licences issued by dismissed employees.

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