Former Health HOD, Thabo Lekalakala, and MEC Wendy Nelson on Tuesday walked out of the North West High Court, sitting in Mmabatho, free from the fraud charges levelled against them, relating to the appointment of Lekalakala as the head of the department. The duo was nabbed by the Hawks in August 2019 after they handed themselves over and were later, on the same day, released on R20 000 bail. The two were acquitted on a charge of fraud related to the appointment of Lekalakala to the position of Superintendent-General in the Department of Health, wherein Nelson was chairing the panel during the interview.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says the state’s case was that Nelson had knowledge of Lekalakala’s misrepresentation on the job application form (Z83) but went on to recommend him for this senior position to the then premier of the North West province, Supra Mahumapelo.

OFM News previously reported that Lekalakala was dismissed as HOD after being subjected to disciplinary proceedings.

This was 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.

"The state welcomes the judgment, however, a thorough study of the judgment will be undertaken. This process will afford the state time to make an informed decision to establish if there isn’t a need for further action," Mamothame adds.

OFM News