The Free State MEC for Social Development, Motshidise Koloi, has appeared in court on charges of fraud and corruption.
The National Prosecuting Authority said in the dock with her were the Chief Director for Human Settlements, Vusimuzi Rajuili, and Serake Leeuw, a political advisor to the mayor of the Matjhabeng Local Council.
NPA spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, said they also face charges of money laundering and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The case against the trio was postponed to 4 December 2023 for copies of the docket following their arrests on Thursday by the Hawks.
Shuping said the investigation follows a 2017 inquiry when MEC Koloi was still the Executive Mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality.
He said it is alleged that the trio worked in cahoots to appropriate over R150 000 under the pretext that it would be used for a sound system during a Nelson Mandela Memorial lecture.
Shuping said the event never took place despite money being paid and in September, the NPA decided to issue warrants of arrest.
Rajuili and Koloi were released on bail of R10 000 each and Leeuw was granted bail of R5 000.
Part of their bail conditions is that they must not contact state witnesses, directly or indirectly, and they must not interfere with the investigations.
