Ambassador fires domestic
THE South African ambassador to the Netherlands, Bruce Koloane, has fired his domestic worker after she was arrested for possession of drugs in The Hague.
Ntokozo Mthethwa, originally from Kwamashu north of Durban, got the job at Koloane’s official residence in 2016.
The Sunday Tribune learnt that the police in the Netherlands had been watching her closely for some time before her arrest at the Station Den Haag HS (Station Hollands Spoor) four weeks ago.
It’s alleged that at the time when she was arrested, Mthethwa was in possession of 2.5kg of heroin which had been sent to her place of work. However, local police had already placed a tracker on it to determine its final destination.
It’s believed she was arrested while handing over the parcel to two men.
The Sunday Tribune understands that Mthethwa was released on bail and was subsequently fired by Koloane.
“The embassy is busy looking for her replacement as we speak,” according to a well-placed source.
Ndivhuwo Mabaya, spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), confirmed the arrest.
“The embassy informed us of the arrest and we are offering services, we will monitor the case and give her necessary support,” said Mabaya.
Mthethwa’s family told the Sunday Tribune they were “stunned” by the news and found it hard to believe she could be involved in drugs.
Her cousin, who asked not to be named, said: “All we know is that she was in Netherlands to work. She left about 10 years ago and it is the first time we hear that she is dealing in drugs. We are really confused.”
She said Mthethwa had been supporting them financially since she went to the Netherlands.
“It’s painful to hear things like this like this because she recently bought a house in Avoca Hills. I just hope she did not do what she is accused of, because it will destroy her whole life.”
Mthethwa is believed to be in her thirties.
A source who knew Mthethwa from the time she arrived in the Netherlands, said: “Before her appointment at the official residence she used to clean at restaurants. Someone recommended her to the embassy. Luckily, she got the job. But she messed things up.”
Approached for information, Koloane declined to comment and said he had sent all relevant reports to Dirco.
Koloane was posted to the Netherlands after he took the blame for allowing the Gupta family to land their private plane at the Waterkloof Airforce Base in Pretoria, a national key point and not open to private citizens.
Many regarded him as the “fall guy” for former president Jacob Zuma, who has close ties with the Gupta family.
Following the backlash Koloane, who was Chief Protocol Officer at Dirco at the time, was suspended. He later emerged as South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands.
However, in the #Guptaleaks series of email documents linking the Gupta family to various senior government officials and deals, it emerged that Koloane had allegedly used his position as ambassador to the Netherlands to help further the business interests of the Guptas in that country.