Hawks acting boss Major-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza’s axe has fallen on another senior official accused of abusing state funds, including using government vehicles to transport family members.
The Limpopo head of the Hawks, Major-General Dibero Molatjana, has been suspended in connection with a number of allegations.
This week, Brigadier Simon Madonsela was issued with a notice of suspension after being arrested on fraud and corruption allegations.
Among the allegations against Molatjana is that she instructed junior members of the police to transport her son Nkgadi from Polokwane to a college in Pretoria every week.
The alleged offences occurred in 2012 and it is said the officers used state vehicles. The charge reads: “One of the members, and at your instructions, transported your son, Dikgang, from Polokwane to Pretoria with (sic) a Golf 6 GTI, and this trip was not official. Also another member is alleged to have undertaken several trips during 2012, transporting your son, Dikgang, from Polokwane to Pretoria… and that during these trips he was requested to give a lift to your son and he would drop him off (at home).”
Molatjana is also accused of registering a family member with a medical aid scheme using the name of her secretary, Creddy Mudau.
It’s also alleged that in 2011, Molatjana was transported by police in an SAPS vehicle to OR Tambo International Airport, but submitted a claim for using her personal vehicle.
“On June 9, 2012, you attended a wedding in Thohoyandou with your brother and secretary, and on your way you visited the office of Organised Crime in Thohoyandou to make it appear official and then you claimed for the trip,” Ntlemeza wrote.
Another allegation was that Molatjana drove in an SAPS vehicle to meetings in Phalaborwa, Tzaneen, and Musina, but submitted claims that she’d driven her own vehicle.
Ntlemeza said he viewed the allegations against Molatjana in a very serious light “and I intend to place you on precautionary suspension with full pay pending investigation and disciplinary proceedings”.
Molatjana could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi refused to comment, saying that it was “an internal matter”.
The drama at the Hawks began in December, when its head, Lieutenant-General Anwa Dramat, was suspended for his alleged role in the illegal rendition of Zimbabweans.
A few days later, its Gauteng provincial head, Major-General Shadrack Sibiya, was also suspended.
Earlier this month, three more officers were suspended.
Sunday Independent