SABRINA DEAN – Free State Health MEC Benny Malakoane is apparently in court again today, this time for a case involving a dodgy sewage contractor.
State prosecutor Antoinette Ferreira earlier confirmed that Malakoane and five other accused are appearing in the Odendaalsrus Regional Court today. The case relates to alleged collusion and wasteful expenditure dating back to Malakoane’s time as Matjhabeng Municipal Manager.
Bloemwater CE Limakhatso Moorosi, who was previously acting municipal manager at Matjhabeng, is believed to be one of the co-accused. However, her office was unable to confirm whether or not this is true. Bloemfontein Courant is waiting for a response to a query.
The court is expected to hear testimony from witnesses today and tomorrow.
Malakoane will meanwhile be joined in the dock by new Free State Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Mathabo Leeto next week when they appear with six others in a different fraud and corruption case.
The eight appeared in Welkom at the beginning of August. The matter was postponed to August 27 and transferred to the Bloemfontein Regional Court.
The two MECs remain in their posts. Provincial spokesperson Mondli Mvambi earlier this month said neither Malakoane nor Leeto was charged in terms of their capacity as MECs. He adds that it is also not right to predetermine the outcome of the court case, saying they remain innocent unless proven otherwise.
