Nakedi was arrested in November last year after she tried to bribe a court official for the early release of an inmate at a prison in the province. The Provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, said at this stage, investigations are still ongoing to establish the relationship between Nakedi and the inmate, who is serving a twelve-year sentence for a cash-in-transit related crime. Nakedi, who is also a Deputy Director in Free State Premier, Sefora Ntombela’s office, now faces charges of corruption, fraud and defeating the ends of justice. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports that Nakedi was in court earlier this month and will appear again on 19 March.

Nakedi appeared at the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on the 4th of February when her case was postponed for further investigations. Meanwhile, the Free State Premier’s Office confirmed to OFM News in an earlier interview that she is part of the staff and worked at the Bloemfontein offices. The spokesperson at the Premier’s Office, Tiisetso Makhele, said at the time of her arrest she has been employed in the office for one year and seven months as the Deputy Director for Community Development, at the Provincial Intervention Unit.

Makhele said that she remains in the employ of the provincial government. “Action against her will only be considered at the completion of the criminal case against her, as the alleged transgression happened outside the scope of her employment,” Makhele said as he responded to OFM News’ questions on how far the internal investigation against her is. He concluded that the Office will give progress updates on various platforms with regards to this matter as the case develops.

OFM News