The Free State’s Serious Corruption Investigation team’s ongoing probing regarding illegal appointments and unqualified personnel in the ANC-led Dihlabeng Local Municipality has uncovered more rot. The elite crime fighting unit’s investigation has yielded the arrest of Phakiso Patrick Mokoena (40), pertaining alleged improper recruitment procedures.
He briefly appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court, yesterday – Thursday, 7 March – following his arrested earlier during the day.
Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the probing uncovered that Mokoena was appointed on a three-month contract as municipal manager, despite being unqualified. He said the investigation was launched after information was received from a trustworthy whistleblower.
“Mokoena is alleged to have been appointed without proper recruitment procedures being followed. It was also discovered that, upon employment, he had provided a fraudulent matric certificate. The Hawks’ investigators presented a compelling case before the prosecution which resulted in a warrant for his arrest being issued by the court,” said Mohobeleli.
He said the in-depth probing uncovered that Mokoena was employed by the municipality between February 2022 and April 2022, earning R53 000 per month. The suspect was granted bail of R10 000 with condition, and the matter was postponed to 10 April.
