Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and her husband, Lawrence Mathae, reject allegations made by businessman Patrick Phuthi regarding irregular road tenders.
(The Post News)- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has confirmed its next step regarding allegations of irregular tenders against Free State Premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, and her husband, Lawrence Mathae, Speaker of the Mangaung Metro Council.
In an exclusive interview with The Post News, DA Provincial Chair, Dr. Roy Jankilson, emphasized that law enforcement agencies must work tirelessly on this matter. “If found true, heads will roll. Whoever is guilty and involved will be held accountable.”
Since Friday, October 11, 2024, the Mathae family has been at the center of attention after tenderpreneur Patric Phuthi, CEO of New Beginnings, exposed them through a WhatsApp message. Phuthi questioned why they treated him like “chewed bubble gum.”
In the WhatsApp messages, Phuthi accused the Mathae family of rejecting him after his sacrifices for them. He claims to have bought two luxury cars (a Mercedes Benz V300 and a BMW 7 series) in exchange for road tenders awarded to him during Letsoha-Mathae’s tenure as Public Works and Roads MEC.
Phuthi stated, “I want to find the reason for the bad treatment after so many sacrifices I’ve made for you both.” He finds it difficult to understand why the family terminated his contract, which benefited them too, after numerous transactions.
Phuthi also claimed spending R2 million in another company to lobby and mobilize support for the premier’s Women’s League position. Their good relationship allegedly extended to Letsoha-Mathae asking Phuthi to help her husband with “Muthi” and arranging a meeting with his grandmother.
However, the premier and her husband refute the allegations, labeling them “defamatory.” The Free State government confirmed Letsoha-Mathae’s awareness of the WhatsApp messages circulating on social media.
The government stated that the premier’s legal representatives have written a formal letter, and due process will unfold, with all further communication handled by her lawyer.
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