Centlec spokesperson Lele Mamatu lodged an application at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein seeking reinstatement, alleging that he was forcibly removed from his position through a fake resignation letter by Centlec CEO, Malefane Sekoboto.

Mamatu, in a detailed affidavit heard by the court on Friday (20/6), accused CEO Sekoboto of fabricating a resignation letter and coercing him to sign it in a closed-door meeting on 6 June 2025. 

He stated that the meeting – supposedly convened to discuss procurement issues with CFO Zoe Williams – took an unexpected turn when Sekoboto produced an undated resignation letter bearing Mamatu’s name and demanded that he sign it.

Mamatu said he refused, calling the document fake, at which point Sekoboto allegedly ordered security to escort him out of the premises. He said he was told to pack his belongings immediately and was escorted from the building. 

As he was escorted, he allegedly heard Sekoboto say, “cut everything that has to do with Mamatu”.

The following day, Mamatu issued a public statement denying any intention to resign and reported the incident to the Park Road police station, opening a fraud case against Sekoboto on 8 June 2025. 

‘Barred from entering Centlec’

Despite this, he claimed Sekoboto continued to bar him from entering the Centlec premises. He now fears that his salary has been cut, which he says would severely impact his ability to support his three children and continue life-saving dialysis treatments.

Mamatu told the court that his dismissal was not only unlawful and unconstitutional, but also procedurally flawed. He argued that even if his contract was ending, proper HR processes, including formal communication from the Centlec board, an exit interview, and a handover process, should have been followed.

In a responding affidavit, Sekoboto strongly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that Mamatu voluntarily resigned to avoid facing disciplinary charges for alleged procurement irregularities. He claimed Mamatu submitted a resignation letter himself, albeit unsigned, which Sekoboto said he signed in good faith as a formal acceptance.

Sekoboto further alleged that Mamatu was deeply entangled in misconduct, including awarding tenders to a friend’s company and inflating prices to cover his personal expenses, including legal fees and medical treatments.

He also made serious accusations against Mamatu and Centlec Board Chairperson Casca Mokitlane, accusing them of being “in cahoots” to orchestrate his downfall. According to Sekoboto, Mamatu has long been leaking internal matters to the media, particularly OFM News, in a deliberate campaign to damage his reputation and pressure the board to remove him.

He said Mamatu and Mokitlane want to use public sentiment and political influence to fight him in the court and through the media.

Sekoboto maintains that Mamatu is no longer a Centlec employee and argues that the application for reinstatement should be dismissed with costs, citing a lack of legal grounds.

Judgment has been reserved with a court ruling expected in the coming days.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg