BLOEMFONTEIN: The fraud case involving former Free State MEC Motshidisi Agnes Koloi and Vusimuzi Rajuili is to continue on 25 and 26 August with the proceedings part of the Free State High Court sitting in Kroonstad. The case regards alleged fraud of R150 000 of the Moqhaka Local Municipality.
They allegedly defrauded the municipality under the pretence that the money would be used for a sound system during a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture. The criminal case followed probing by the Free State Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit that revealed the purported memorial lecture never took place, despite money already being paid. The elite crime fighting wing’s findings suggest that the accused allegedly worked in cahoots to swindle the money. This was reportedly done in 2017 while Koloi was the executive mayor of the municipality.
The Hawks have confirmed the withdrawal of charges that were brought against Serake Jakob Leeuw, former executive mayor of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. The remaining pair of Koloi and Rajuili is charged with fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Municipal Management Act. The duo have been released on bail set at R10 000 each, with strict conditions that they must not contact state witnesses, directly or indirectly.
Koloi resigned in October 2023 as MEC for Social Development following her indictment along with the pair of Leeuw and Rajuili. It was pointed that her resignation was abiding with the resolution of the ANC, that members facing criminal charges voluntarily step aside when it comes to both the party and government programmes. The ruling party resolved at its 55th national election conference as part of renewal commitment following the numbers of members implicated in serious criminal cases pertaining to corruption and fraud.
