Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says Lehau Sehoana asked him to help get R3.6m from SARB

• Gauteng's MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, explained why he called on the South African Reserve Bank to stop Drip's liquidation
• He revealed that the company's founder, Lekau Sehoana, asked him to help recover the R3.6 million from the SARB
• South Africans slammed Maile for speaking publicly about the amount SARB reportedly held, and some believed he was not helping for free

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

JOHANNESBURG—The Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile reportedly received a request from Drip founder Lekau Sehoana to help recover the millions the South African Reserve Bank held.

Read also

20 MK Party MPs fired without explanation, South Africans entertained

Sehoana asked for my help: Lebogang Maile

According to SowetanLIVE, Maile said Sehoana approached him at Drip's fifth anniversary in Thembisa last month. His plea came two days after the South African Reserve Bank gazetted its decision about Drip's forfeiture of the R3.6 million to the state. Drip was found to have violated foreign exchange regulations regarding payments due to Sehoana.

Maile said he received a briefing about Sehoana's predicament and discovered that a third party appointed to help release the R3.6 million from SARB did not make certain documents available to SARB. Maile said he supported Sehoana to prevent job-shedding and his business from crashing. He pleaded with SARB to give Sehoana more time.

South Africans question Maile's involvement

Netizens discussing the matter on Facebook questioned why Maile was so invested in helping Sehoana.

Read also

South Africa to forge ahead with NHI despite resistance

Happy Robert said:

"There is an ethical problem there. ANC members are known for not doing things for free. The MEC probably asked for a cut if the R3.6 million is recovered."

Xolani Khabazela said:

"Then he decided to go public."

Gezani Gazza Ndavani said:

"The MEC needs to be taken to the mountains and learn something about secrecy."

Svula Vala Gqagqani asked:

"What about other companies that experienced the same challenge?"

Lebohang Mabaleha said:

"It helps to have connections in high places."

Lekau Sehoana clarifies claims his wife and child were evicted

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that Sehoana clarified claims that his estranged wife and son were kicked out of their home.

Sehoana said his wife had sub-let the house to someone else and was informed by the South African Police who were investigating the murder of Drip's MD.

Source: Briefly News