Premier Spokesperson Matshidiso Setai has vehemently denied allegations of corruption against her, calling them baseless and a smear campaign intended to damage her reputation and remove her from the Free State Provincial Government.

In an interview with the Journal News, Setai responded to various media reports accusing her of fraud, forgery, and involvement in a R4.3 million financial mismanagement lawsuit with the National Department of Transport, where she served as the Deputy Director of Communications in 2008.

Setai asserts that these allegations are rooted in distortion and aim to eliminate her as an obstacle to corrupt activities in government procurement.

In September, media reports accused her of fraudulently creating a letter that forged the signature of former Acting Director General Dr Mafole Mokalobe from the Premier's office and sending it to the Head of the Department of Education, Advocate Tshwarelo Malakoane.

Previously, Setai emphasised that this is a smear campaign against her, intended to discredit her character.

 "I will stop at nothing to ensure that corruption ends within the seventh administration of the Free State provincial government," she said.

According to the reports, Setai was allegedly placed on suspension after a KPMG report indicated that proper tender procedures were not followed for some of the projects issued by the department.

She reportedly faced 14 charges and was found guilty on 13 of them, including procurement irregularities, gross dishonesty, and gross negligence..

“We went to lawyers and there was an out-of-court settlement that we reached, initiated by the department itself, Setai said.

In 2023, it is alleged that the Department of Transport wanted to revoke and review the settlement agreement.

Setai reveals that the department has not reviewed the settlement agreement from her case.

 "Based on all of those charges, the department opted to settle out of court, and the settlement letter was issued by them, resulting in my payment of R4.3 million.

"This amount included my outstanding salary and all legal costs, she said.

In response, Setai confirmed that she had heard about the department's intention to review the decision made in 2012, but noted that no court application has been lodged.

"To date, the Department of Transport has still not reviewed the agreement, so I don’t know where these media platforms are getting the information that the settlement has been reviewed.

"If there is a review outcome, I ask that it be issued now,” she said.

"What I can tell you is that there is ongoing litigation against the department, and our case is set for October 2028.

“This reflects their level of desperation against me. They are attempting to find dirt on me, but cannot succeed.

"I'm currently viewed as an enemy because I have halted corruption. I am a target because they are unable to steal from the government,” Setai said.