Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Gabatlotlane Mogapi, narrowly escaped jail yesterday after Lamworld Technologies (Pty) Ltd wanted him to be arrested and imprisoned for failing to approve that the company should be paid P41 million owed to it by the ministry.
Justice Matlhogonolo Phuthego ordered that the arrest and imprisonment of the minister shall be held in abeyance pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. “The application in respective of the application by Mogapi is fixed for status hearing on April 5, 2024 at 0900 hours. In respect of the application filled by the Attorney General the respondents are given until April 1st 2024, at 1200 hours, to have filed their answering affidavits. Arguments will be heard on April 1, 2024,” Phuthego said.
The dispute started in 2015 when Lamworld Technologies (Pty) Ltd approached the court seeking just over P3 million plus 10% interest for works they performed and expenses incurred. The money was subsequently amended to P20 million. Lamworld Technologies (Pty) Ltd want the Ministry to pay for services it rendered as per 2013 contract in which it was engaged to build a water treatment plant and evaporation ponds in New Xade and Radisele villages. Mogapi through the ministry's attorneys said she wants the court to declare that the attachment of the property belonging to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is unlawful and that the possession of the said property be restored to the Ministry forthwith.
“Currently the service delivery to the entire country has been brought to an abrupt standstill. This is in light of the fact that the Ministry which I head is responsible for many departments and districts and town councils, who are in turn responsible for delivering services to citizens both in towns and villages. Some of the services we are offering include welfare of the vulnerable members of the public, payment of the old age pensions, food rations for primary schools, community home based care patients and elderly people care,” Mogapi said.
Some of the properties attached and removed include information and technology equipment, such as computers, servers, and vehicles amongst others.
