The leader of the DA in the province, Joe McGluwa, says his party notes both the arrests of Nelson and Lekalakala, who both appeared before the Mmabatho Regional Court and are currently out on R20 000 bail each. McGluwa says his party will continue to keep a close eye on developments. Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Provincial Chairperson, Shakes Botswe, has called on the SAPS and the Hawks to intensify its work on issues of alleged corporate state capture in the province.

McGluwa says these arrests are the first of its kind in the province, but more arrests need to follow. He adds that the Mediosa scandal is merely the tip of the iceberg, alleging that more than R180 million was looted from the province during former premier, Supra Mahumapelo’s tenure. OFM News previously reported that Lekalakala’s arrest follows after that of Nelson, who was arrested on Friday 23 August 2019 and was 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, said his arrest pertains to the irregularity of his appointment as the head of the department in 2014. Rikhotso further said Lekalakala appeared at the Mmabatho Regional Court facing a charge of fraud and he will re-appear on 6 September 2019 after he was granted bail. 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