On Thursday, Motsoaledi became the person with the highest profile to occupy the witness box in the murder trial of slain CityMed MD, Louis Siemens, to date.

His startling revelations and denial of bribery allegations by accused number one, Stanley Bakili, raises the question of whether or not the affidavit exists, and if so, where it is. 

In this alleged statement, Bakili apparently says he paid the minister a total of R154 000 as a bribe to issue bed licences to CityMed Day Clinic.

This as Bakili's legal counsel, Masilo Koenane, yesterday told the court that his client - who is facing various charges including, murder and extortion, among others - denies that he ever wrote such a statement incriminating Motsoaledi.

It is unknown at this stage whether the State Prosecutor Advocate Johan de Nysschen, who is leading evidence in the trial of Bakili and seven others, will produce the statement as an exhibit or evidence before Judge Pitso Molitsoane.

Siemens was shot and killed in the basement parking lot of Preller Square on 10 May 2018. 

Bakili joins Molebatsi Mogoera, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Clive Tshivenga, Karabo Tau and Sizwe Mpati in the dock. 

They are all between the ages of 29 and 56 and include three police officers, a disbarred advocate, an accused in separate double murder cases, and a military man. 

Motsoaledi stood firm in court and vehemently denied that he has ever met Bakili, received a bribe from him or ever spoke to the former Managing Director of CityMed on any platform. 

Motsoaledi, in his testimony, revealed that the first time he ever heard of the deceased and Stanley Bakili, was on 25 November 2018. 

On this day, the provincial head of the Health Department, David Motau, sent the Minister a copy of an article in the local newspaper Die Volksblad, which allegedly stated Bakili had allegedly conceded in an official affidavit that he had paid Motsoaledi a R154 000 bribe to have CityMed’s application to amend their hospital license expedited. 

Motsoaledi further maintains the issue of hospital licenses lies with the provincial health department and not with his office. 

OFM News previously reported that former FS Health MEC, Benny Malakoane, and a senior departmental official, Pinky Belot, both testified that Motsoaledi had no role in the matter, but both Siemens and Bakili expressed interest in speaking to the Minister during their meetings. 

Meanwhile, De Nysschen on Thursday submitted evidence in court - marked exhibit L and L1 - of apparent Whatsapp messages between a person believed to be the minister and Siemens. 

De Nysschen said in this report of over 100 pages and over 1500 texts, the name "Cader Stan" is mentioned repeatedly in the conversation between Siemens and the person believed to be Motsoaledi.  

In his testimony on Thursday, he says he only knew or learned about the names "Bakili" or "Dr Siemens" from media reports. 

Meanwhile, Judge Pitso had postponed the matter for Friday (15 November) following a request by Bakili's legal counsel Koenane for further engagement with his client. 

Former Grootvlei Prison head and Mangaung Private Prison adviser, Tatolo Setlai, concluded his testimony and the defence is expected to grill him on the testimony he gave in court about mostly, Bakili, Tshivenga, and the self-confessed shooter of Siemens who is serving a 22-year jail sentence, Xolisile Mbebetho.

OFM News