(Photo: Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae/ Facebook)
The transparency and credibility of a high-profile corruption investigation against MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, the Free State prime minister, hangs in the balance after a sudden and strange shakeup in the Hawks’ investigative team.
Serious questions are being asked after it came to light that a senior member of the Falcons was removed from this sensitive matter and simply replaced with a junior officer.
Due to these changes, the FF Plus has already urgently addressed official questions to Firoz Cachalia, the Acting Minister of Police.
Senior member himself under the magnifying glass
According to media reports, the relevant senior Falcons officer was not simply removed from the case without reason, but is currently being investigated internally himself. However, what exactly this internal investigation entails has not yet been officially announced.
Tammy Breedt, FF Plus MP and member of the National Council of Provinces (NRP), says this situation sends a very bad message to the public and the rest of the police force.
“When senior police members who are responsible for sensitive and serious investigations are investigated themselves, it raises serious questions about its impact on the effectiveness and credibility of such investigations,” says Breedt.
Concerns about junior officer
The case relates to allegations of corruption of around R269 million linked to Prime Minister Letsoha-Mathae. The FF Plus believes it is worrying that a junior officer is now charged with leading such an extensive and sensitive investigation.
“The president has repeatedly said that the police must be held accountable and corruption in the government must be eradicated. That is why it is disturbing that such a sensitive investigation is now entrusted to a junior officer,” says Breedt.
She believes that the circumstances in which these changes take place cast a shadow over the entire process.
“The FF Plus considers the circumstances surrounding this move to be serious and this change of investigating officers places the transparency and credibility of the investigation under a cloud of uncertainty.”
Minister must stand father
The party is now demanding that the acting minister of police be transparent about what is going on behind the scenes in the directorate and exactly how the new team is composed.
“The FF Plus wants to know if the minister is aware of the moves and demands full feedback on the reasons for the changes and the composition of the investigation team. The public is entitled to answers, especially where large amounts of tax money and possible high-level corruption are involved,” says Breedt.
The minister has not yet officially responded to the FF Plus’ written questions or the allegations in the media.