WATCH | “It all depends on whether the NPA decides to prosecute or not” — Dr Phutego Matebesi on pending NPA decision.

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein — With exactly 25 days before the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decides whether to prosecute Free State Premier MaQueen Joyce “Pretenders” Letsoha-Mathae, science students call this time, the pin and pendulum, political analysts say the province is entering a defining moment.

If prosecuted, Mathae would become the first sitting Free State Premier to face criminal charges while in office.

The matter follows explosive allegations made in 2024 by Patrick “The Butcher” Phuti, Chief Executive Officer of New Beginnings Project.

Political analyst Dr Phutego Matebesi from the University of the Free State said the outcome now rests solely with prosecutors.

WATCH

Will Mathaes be dancing after NPA decides?

WATCH

Mathae will not be the only one awaiting the decision. MECs Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena and Dibolelo Mance are also implicated in separate matters currently before the NPA.

NPA confirmation

Advocate Eugene Ontong, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State, confirmed that decisions on all matters involving the Premier and the two MECs will be taken after dockets are returned on 15 June.

Read.

On 4 December 2024, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) confirmed to this publication that investigations into the so-called “Travelgate” matter involving Mance had been completed.

HAWKS await DPP for a decision on Dibolelo Mahlatsi

Months later, the DPCI also confirmed completion of investigations into reports involving goods paid for but never delivered, implicating Mokoena who we are not supposed to call “Sulky” anymore, we will now call him by his physical appearance or height, or both.

Investigators were also asked to probe allegations relating to goods and services not delivered despite payments amounting to R1.8 million to two companies, as well as cattle reportedly never supplied despite payments of more than R1.6 million.

“The investigation is almost on completion stage” – Hawks on Laptopgate

Tomorrow we tap into how Sulky Mokoena stayed in hotels from March till August 2024 and which travel agencies were used. We will also look into all his visitors in the hotels especially Southern Sun.

Mokoena has declared himself a person of interest to this publication and we will stick with him everyday till June 15.

This is a developing story.

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