A court case against the Free State MEC for Health, Dr Benny Malakoane, and the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Mathabo Leeto, has been postponed for a ninth time.
The two MECs face charges of fraud and corruption regarding irregular contracts that were awarded by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality between October 2007 to June 2008.
During this period Leeto was the Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality and Malakoane was the Municipal Manager at the municipality.
According to the Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader in the Provincial Legislature, Roy Jankielsohn, justice delayed is justice denied.
Jankielsohn says the residents of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality are the victims in this case.
“We would the directorate of the Public Prosecutions in the Free State to ensure that their case is in order in court. So, that the court can hear the case in full. We are very concerned that the delay appears to be the result of the indecision of the Public Prosecutions in the province.”
In response to the claims made by the DA, Courant consulted with the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in the province.
According to the NPA regional spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, the case is postponed to November because the Director of Prosecutions in the province still needs to meet with the special investigating unit.
Shuping says a consultation with all stakeholders needs to be done prior to any decision making processes.
– Katleho Morapela/Courant News
