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Media Statement FREE STATE – A 42-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 16 May 2024 after he was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Bloemfontein on 15 May 2024 for alleged corruption. His arrest comes after the Hawks launched a probe into alleged fraud, corruption, and money laundering taking place at the Free State Department of Human Settlements where the department officials and attorney firms are said to be involved. On 24 April 2024, an official from the Department of Human Settlements attempted to call a certain applicant who made an application for Financial Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) in order to verify information contained in his application. However, he could not get hold of him. Later on the same day, the official received a call from a man who introduced himself as an employee of a known attorney firm. He told the official that the applicant he had attempted to call earlier does not have a phone and that he (the suspect) will be assisting with the FLISP application. A follow-up call was made by the suspect on 25 April 2024 to arrange a meeting with the official in the presence of the applicant. Later, the suspect called again saying that he was aware of an investigation against his firm. He requested the official to assist him by processing the FLISP application at a fee of R15 000 to R20 000. He assured the official that the applicant was not aware of the FLISP application. The matter was reported to the Hawks. On 15 May 2024, a police operation was conducted as approved by the Director of Public Prosecution resulting in the arrest. The suspect will appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 16 May 2024. Free State Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has applauded the team of investigators for their excellent work. Ends
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