AfriForum follows up on criminal charges with DPP in Free State

AfriForum on 27 February 2018 addressed letters to Adv. Malini Govender, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Free State, to determine if this DPP has decided yet on the prosecuting of two cases of corruption. This follows after AfriForum in March and May 2016 submitted various criminal charges of among others municipal fraud and corruption in Bethlehem and Bloemfontein.

In Bethlehem municipal fraud of approximately R85 million was exposed and in Bloemfontein it came to light that approximately R400 million, earmarked for low cost housing, was unlawfully paid out to contractors and suppliers despite the fact that no Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing was built. Two of the beneficiaries include among others Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Nozuko Mbalula, the wife of Fikile Mbalula (former Minister of Police).

“AfriForum will continue to monitor these cases seeing that we are aware that government officials and their families are possibly involved in this corruption and fraud and are possibly receiving special treatment. AfriForum’s Private Prosecuting Unit was established for exactly the purpose of seeing to it that everyone enjoys equal treatment before the law and that selective prosecution is not applied,” says Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecuting Unit.

The investigating officials in both cases have indicated that the investigations are going well and that the cases are with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) who must decide whether prosecution will take place.

“AfriForum wants to encourage the public to take a stand against corruption. We plan to provide training on ground level on what corruption entails, how it can be exposed, information required to successfully prosecute and how corruption can possibly be prevented. This training can be attended by members and non-members and will be provided by Adv. Nel. The dates and times will be announced in due course,” says Wico Swanepoel, AfriForum’s Legal Advisor for Local Corruption Affairs.

You can help to expose corruption and fraud in your town. SMS the name of your town to 45352 (R1).