Is Free State Premier a GBV apologist?

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The Free State High court in Bloemfontein has set a trial date for Gender Based Violence (GBV) accused, Pakiso Lebone, acting head of Treasury.

Lebone who is out on bail after his arrest five days after charges were laid against him, allegedly assaulted his then girlfriend, Lerato, on the 10 May 2025.

He later got appointed as to act as Head of Treasury by Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, Free State Premier and African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) Treasurer General despite knowing fully, Lebone was facing charges.

Lebone is not the first public servant to be charged with GBV, Phiwe Mathe also faced the same but unlike Mathe, both the ANC and ANCWL have not released any statement on allegations Lebone is facing.

The trial date for Lebone is 5 September 2025, and from the evidence in our possession, both the J88 and pictures of the victim paint a glaring picture. Whether Lebone ozobuyaaa or ngenaaaa it’s a matter of the court to decide or even politicians as Mkhwanazi said they are compromised.

Last year Mathae was joined by Jabu Mbalula, MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport and marched against gender based violence.

Interestingly, Lawrance Mathae, Premier’s ex-husband according to Advocate Zola Majavu, who is a speaker of Mangaung Metro led a march from Hoffman Square to Free State High court in support of families of Bongi Jamangile and Mpho Moalosi.