Mathae’s spokesperson accused of theft

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – Matshediso Setai, spokesperson for Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, Free Premier is accused of plagiarism.

Plagiarism is considered a form of theft, a breach of dishonesty in academic community.

This after she allegedly, presented a media monitoring and reporting document to Dr Solomon Phera, Acting Director General.

A copy of the signed document in possession of this public show Dr Phera signed it on the 1 October 2025.

The document in question was neither prepared by Dr Phera nor Setai.

A comparison between what Dr Phera signed off and what Mokoka sent to Setai at 15h20 on the 21 July 2025 has one difference.

Mokoka’s document has Dr Mafole Mokalobe, former acting DG while Setai’s has the incumbent, other than that it’s the same document albeit Setai didn’t credit Mokoka. Something ethical in academic and professional world.

Mokoka took issue when Setai shared the signed document in the WhatsApp group of communicators and didn’t hold back.

Dr Solomon Phera, acting Director-General of Free State Provincial Government didn’t respond to our questions.

It was Dr Phera who hired Setai in December 2024, and it was Dr Pheta who also appointed Setai as acting Chief Director few weeks later. Moving her from political office to administration.

When her acting ended on the 31 August 2025, it was Dr Phera who rejected extension of her acting allegedly due to staff complaints against Setai.

Free State Provincial Government has been operating without a Chief Director to date.

Important detail Dr Phera missed, when Mokoka drafted the document in July, Setai was acting Chief Director hence she was a reference point for clarity, now since is no longer acting why is she as political appointee responsible for administration and government work?

Setai has a very hostile attitude to media, she even picks up fights that have nothing to do with her.

Last month she asked acting CEO of RMTC to sue Bongani Mdakane, Sunday World journalist.

She has not always been hostile till she was employed by Premier. While she was out of government, Setai advocated for media.

This she wrote on the 25 April 2024, in the diaspora WhatsApp group in response to the payment Human Settlements made to DBSA.

This is what Dr Takisi Masiteng told Free State Premier and we love to see his prophecy.

This is a developing story.

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