Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The first year of Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae’s tenure as Premier of Free State following national government elections in May 2024, is nothing but continuation of what she left at Community Safety, Roads, and Transport.
As MEC at CSR&T, Mathae met with contractors and even threatened them with termination if they didn’t plough back. Her department transferred staff unilaterally, suspended and dismissed others. One-by-one thise dismissed are silently returning via bargaining council.
Mathae was sworn in as Free State number 1 citizen a year ago succeeding Mxolisi Dukwana who only lasted 15 months after taking over from Sefora Ntombela, erstwhile Premier in February 2023.
Hardly a week after becoming a premier, Mathae instructed Health officials to send Advocate Mokgobo back to Education only to make a u-turn few days later.
Mokgobo joined Health as a deputy director SCM in 2023, she has been acting Director to date.
Bongani Regional Hospital
What followed was a trip to Bongani Regional Hospital in Welkom where she demanded a female nursing be handed a written warning outside Labour processes.
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Dr Takisi Masiteng
Mathae met Dr Takisi Masiteng, former head of department of Agriculture and Rural Development in an effort to engage him over a possible transfer to Lindela. Dr Masiteng’s sins were alleged reporting corruption that happened in the department involving livestock and laptops that were never delivered.
At least two criminal cases have been against those who were involved.
Mosa Masemene
Masemene took Mathae to court over unlawful transfer and court ruled in her favour.
What still stands in Masemene’s papers is what Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena, allegedly told Masemene to terminate Vharanani’s contracted as instructed by Mathae. Both Mathae and Mokoena have never, not even once disputed this. Further down under lies we will link Vharanani to Mathae.
Transfer of HODS
Mathae finally reshuffled her Head of Departments and only three HODs, namely: Dr Masego Tshabalala, Sugar Ramakarane and Advocate Humphrey Malakoane remained in the positions. We will demonstrate with hard core evidence why Masego and Malakoane are not transferred.
Sello Martins
In December 2024, Office of the Premier had two CFOs, Sello Martins and Kgopotso Moahlodi.
For two months that office had two CFOs till Martins was coerced into backdating his transfer as CFO to bursary unit.
Public Service Commission reports used selectively
Mosa Masemene, suspended head of Public Works and Infrastructure became the only victim of PSC report. She was suspended by Mathae.
Masechaba Sesing, former head of department at Health was let go freely by Mathae despite PSC asking Mathae to implement its recommendations which included disciplinary action against Sesing.
Sesing is not the only lucky one, Bob Tladi, acting DDG of Cooperate Services who was fingered in the 2022 PSC report is another survivor. Three years later no action and we are expected to take PSC serious when it’s obviously clear it’s used for political reasons.
Tladi is allegedly friends with Mathae’s ex-husband (according to Advocate Zola Majavu).
Lies
Mathae after bragging she terminated a contractor for failing to perform its work, said there is another contractor that was paid but failed to build houses.
At the time of this interview with Lesedi FM, Mathae knew how much Vharanani was paid and for how many houses but chose to lie.
The Internal Question Paper show Mathae knew as early as July/August 2024 but still, she lied.
Corruption
New Beginnings Project, Chief Executive Officer, Patrick “The Butcher” Phuti dropped a mother of all explosive. Phuti also alleged Mathae wanted help with muthi.
To date, a decision by Advocate Neville Somaru on whether to prosecute Mathae or not is awaited.
Lesedi FM
Over the years Free State Provincial Government has been using Lesedi FM as its mouth piece especially, 12h30-15h00 slot, weekdays, without open tender processes.
We have asked Auditor General of South Africa how much has FSPG spent on Lesedi FM alone in the past 5 years, processes followed and how much FSPG paid Thuso Motaung who was their employees.
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