A number of scandals involving Free State senior officials, including the Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae have surfaced over the past few months, and calls for the HAWKS to investigate have grown louder by the day.
The latest is that of Social Development Head of Department (HOD) Adv. Tumelo Phahlo, who was reported by the media to allegedly being investigated by the HAWKS for R2.3 million that went missing under his watch.
Phahlo and the Department have since denied any knowledge of the investigation and dismissed the allegations as groundless, unfounded, malicious, and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The HAWKS, in response to our inquiry, said they can neither deny nor confirm the existence of any investigation against officials of the Department of Social Development.
Other senior officials in the Free State have been accused of corruption and bribery, misuse of state funds and many other.
“We may, however, confirm that there are cases that we are investigating against senior officials in the Free State. Please note that it is not within the mandate of DPCI to confirm personal details of individuals of interest who are being investigated until they are formerly charged and have appeared in court,” said Captain Christopher Singo of the HAWKS.