Mohalenyane Phakela
THE case in which former Education and Training Minister, Mahali Phamotse, is charged with corruption for allegedly influencing the awarding of a 2015 high schools’ textbooks tender to Epic Printers and Molumeli Pty (Ltd), failed to proceed yesterday due to the absence of the presiding judge, Molefi Makara.
Justice Makara is currently in Kenya on official business and will only return next week, according to his clerk, Eric Ramalefane.
The matter has since been postponed to 1 April 2022 after both the prosecution and defence counsel agreed on that date.
The matter is being prosecuted by Advocate Shaun Abrahams while the defence lawyers are Advocates Motiea Teele, Salemane Phafane and Karabo Mohau.
According to the charge sheet, Dr Phamotse stands accused of acting in concert with her then Principal Secretary, Mapaseka Kolotsane, and Deputy Principal Secretary, Ratšiu Majara, to influence the irregular awarding of the schools’ textbooks and teachers’ guides tender to Epic Printers and Molumeli Pty (Ltd) between May and December 2015.
