Former Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi has been acquitted of a corruption charge involving an alleged P4.7 million payment linked to the issuance of prospecting licences to New Energy Company (Pty) Ltd.
Magistrate Mareledi Dipate delivered the ruling on Thursday, declaring Moagi had no case to answer. “The accused is not found guilty and he is thus acquitted,” Dipate ruled.
The case centered on a bank card allegedly found at Moagi’s residence during a search conducted by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC). The card was linked to an account held by Wisecreatives Investments (Pty) Ltd, through which the funds were allegedly channeled.
According to court documents cited in previous media reports, the DCEC alleged that P4,706,000 was deposited into the Wisecreatives Investments account by New Energy Company and Riders (Pty) Ltd. Moagi was allegedly given access to the funds through a bank card issued in the name of Wisecreatives Investments.
According to court documents cited in previous media reports, the DCEC alleged that P4,706,000 was deposited into the Wisecreatives Investments account by New Energy Company and Riders (Pty) Ltd. Moagi was allegedly given access to the funds through a bank card issued in the name of Wisecreatives Investments.
The prosecution alleged that the payment from New Energy Company was a reward for the issuance of prospecting licences for base metals in Gantsi, Tsabong and Tutume.
The DCEC reportedly seized the bank card during a search of Moagi’s residence on July 11, 2025. Investigators alleged that the card had been used to make personal purchases.
Wisecreatives Investments was the company through which the alleged funds were channeled, while New Energy Company was identified as the source of the payment linked to the prospecting licences.
Wisecreatives Investments was the company through which the alleged funds were channeled, while New Energy Company was identified as the source of the payment linked to the prospecting licences.
Moagi served as Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security at the time of the alleged corruption. The acquittal follows court proceedings in which the State pursued the charge relating to the alleged P4.7 million benefit and its connection to the prospecting licences. Moagi’s attorney Unoda Mack challenged the State’s case, questioning whether the prosecution had established that the money was a reward for the licences. He also disputed aspects of the alleged links between the companies and the former minister, as well as the evidence connecting the funds to an improper exercise of ministerial authority.
