BREAKING NEWS | Mahlatsi’s Office Implicated in Travelgate Fraud

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – The office of Free State Health MEC, Viceroy Mahlatsi, has been implicated in a travelgate fraud scandal unfolding under his leadership.

STEPUPSANEWS can confirm that Zukile March, an ANC PEC member, is receiving an acting allowance of R24,000 while also benefiting from questionable kilometre claims averaging 4500 km per month.

March, who joined Mahlatsi’s office in August 2024, is no stranger to controversy.

Upon his appointment, he was placed on salary level 7 earning R31 000 but was later controversially elevated to act on salary level 11 (additional R24 000) per month with grade 12 as his highest qualification.

This is despite reported objections from Free State Premier Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, who indicated that March did not meet the requirements for the higher position a degree is a minimum requirement but not in Free State.

Did Mahlatsi defy Mathae in Zukile March’s appointment?

It is understood that March is exploiting this acting position to facilitate frequent travel claims.

He is allegedly using Lesotho registered Audi A3 but claiming with SA registered cars with bigger engines.

At the centre of approving these claims is Mokapi Mokhachane, the office manager. This is the same person allegedly trying to block investigations into the unlawful acting of March and Rosemary Pooe.

Health MEC’s PA acting allowance is higher than her salary despite Grade 12 qualification

MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi had not responded to questions at the time of publication.

This is a developing story.

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