It appears that Dr Andrew Lekalakala, the former Head of the Department of Health in North West, along with his co-accused Joseph Leshabane, have been linked to a case involving fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The case has been postponed to January 31, 2024, for further investigations.
Here is a summary of the key details. Dr. Andrew Lekalakala is facing two charges of contravening the PFMA and two charges of fraud. He was granted R10 000 bail. Joseph Leshabane, along with his company Raliform Investment, is facing six counts of fraud amounting to over R49 million.
He was granted R50 000 bail. Both Dr Lekalakala and Joseph Leshabane were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Units on October 2 in Mahikeng.
The case involving Dr Lekalakala and Joseph Leshabane is linked to the case of Lydia Keneilwe Sebego, former Head of Department at the North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa, Chief Director at the North West Department of Health, and Roulgh Lotwane Mabe, a service provider.
Lydia Keneilwe Sebego is facing two charges of contravening the PFMA, Vuyo Mbulawa is facing 10 charges of fraud, and Roulgh Lotwane Mabe is charged with six counts of fraud.
The charges are related to Service Level Agreements signed between companies and their directors for services to be rendered to hospitals in Ledig (Moses Kotane Hospital) and Vryburg (Joe Morolong Hospital) during 2008-2009.
It is alleged that these services were not rendered, and fraudulent invoices were submitted by the companies, which were authorized and paid by the department, leading to a significant loss to the Department of Health.
Dr. Lekalakala also has a separate pending case where he is charged with two counts of fraud and one count of contravening the PFMA. This case is related to the awarding of a contract to Mediosa Health, a company linked to the Gupta family.
Dr Lekalakala is currently out on R5 000 bail, and the matter is scheduled for further trial on February 12, 2024.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, and Major General Patrick Mbotho, Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, welcome the arrest and court appearance of the suspects. they are hopeful that investigations will be completed so that the trial can commence.
These cases involve allegations of financial misconduct, fraud, and contravention of the PFMA within the North West Department of Health. The legal proceedings will determine the guilt or innocence of the accused parties.
