His arrest follows after that of the former Finance MEC, Wendy Nelson, who was arrested on Friday, 23 August 2019 and later the same day released on R20 000 bail. Lekalakala was set to hand himself over on that day but failed to do so.

The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Tlagelani Rikhotso, says his arrest pertains to the irregularity of his appointment as the head of the department in 2014.

Rikhotso says Lekalakala appeared at the Mmabatho Regional Court facing a charge of fraud. He was released on R20 000 bail. Rikhotso says both Lekalakala and Nelson will re-appear on 6 September 2019.

Lekalakala has been subjected to disciplinary proceedings within his department after he was charged with procurement irregularities involving the payment of R30 million to the Gupta-linked Mediosa Company and the misrepresentation of facts after he stated he had worked as a chief director of the department.

OFM News