“We reported corruption to the Hawks, Premier and MEC” – FSGLTA whistleblower

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein The Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) stands accused of being complicit in alleged corruption at the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA).

This follows a story published last month in which it was reported that four FSGLTA board members allegedly pocketed R360 000 in December after attending 18 meetings, according to NEHAWU in the province.

“Four board members received almost R360 000 each in December” – NEHAWU calls for disbandment of FSGLTA board

A whistleblower who handed a dossier to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, and Finance MEC Ketso Makume, shared the same dossier with this publication on 27 March 2025 at 08:45.

In an exclusive interview, she said nothing has changed at the entity.

“I go to work every day, but the staff morale is very low because we can’t even breathe.

We have a board that is fully operational, attending events, while foot soldiers are left behind.

Last year, board members went to Sun City for a tourism indaba and claimed allowances. They also attended the Maletsunyane Braai Festival and claimed allowances.

FSGLTA has become employment for them, and there is little to nothing we can do.”

Hawks investigating, arrests “imminent”.

On the contents of the dossier, the whistleblower commended the Hawks for acting swiftly but criticised the provincial executive.

Hawks pounce on Tourism Board and staff to down tools

“Just after reporting, the Hawks started investigating and arrests are imminent. The same cannot be said about the Premier and the MEC.

They did nothing, hence the impunity.”

She further alleged governance failures within the authority:

Employees are forced to retire at 60 in line with HR policy, yet a 59-year-old was appointed as company secretary.

A board member employed at Mangaung Metro allegedly receives allowances unlawfully.

The entity is allegedly losing court cases repeatedly, with appeals funded by taxpayers.

“Governance has gone out of the window. It’s appeal after appeal after appeal — using taxpayers’ money.”

The whistleblower has called for further intervention and questioned whether the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) should step in.

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