Edu MEC allegedly receives R1 mil+ in bribes

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo called for the arrest and removal of Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe after opening a case of money laundering, fraud, corruption, defeating public trust and extortion at the Polokwane Police Station on Monday.
This follows allegations that Kgetjepe illegally received over R1 million in bribes from the Mvula Trust, a non-government organisation contracted to build ablution facilities at schools in the province. EFF Provincial Chairperson Jossey Buthane alleged that Kgetjepe had received amounts ranging from R100 000 to R150 000 between September 2017 and June 2018 from the trust to fund his political campaigns.
He further alleged that Kgetjepe requested bribes from Mvula both telephonically and in person, adding that this was a conflict of interest as Kgetjepe used his position as the MEC to request funding for his political campaigns.
Buthane said the money could be used to improve the standard of toilets in schools. According to him that an auditors’ report compiled by private auditors exists which speaks to the allegations and reiterated that Kgetjepe must be arrested for his alleged crimes and vacate the position as Education MEC as he claimed that the MEC uses the title to benefit himself rather than towards the improvement of education standard in Limpopo.

“The organisation was awarded a tender of more than R600 million to provide proper toilets in schools so his requests simply tells one that he doesn’t care about the future and safety of our children. We want him to be arrested and the money recovered,” Buthane explained. Mvula Trust Chief Executive Officer Silas Mbedzi confirmed that the organisation had funded Kgetjepe for his political activities from 2016 until last year and agreed to allegations that the money given to Kgetjepe amounted to over R1 million.
“Kgetjepe made seven to eight funding requests for his African National Congress (ANC)constituency work during the party’s conferences and we saw the need to assist him. He would ask R100 000 to pay transport for party members. Projects we do in Limpopo are mostly funded by the national Department of Education,” Mbedzi explained and emphasised that Kgetjepe requested assistance as ANC member not as MEC.
Department of Education Spokesperson Sam Makondo stressed that Kgetjepe did not demand or receive any money to influence the awarding of a tender because the Mvula Trust tender had already been awarded when Kgetjepe joined the department in 2015. Makhondo questioned how a tender already awarded in 2012/13 could be influenced. He remarked that Kgetjepe had no influence in the adjudication of bids since they were done by supply chain committees, not the MEC.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za