The fraud case involving a former North West Department of Health HoD, Dr Andrew Lekalakala, who is out on R5,000 bail, has been delayed due to illness.
Lekalakala faces two charges of fraud relating to the the awarding of a contract for mobile clinics to Mediosa Health Pty (Ltd) in February 2017. News24 reports that the company is linked to the Gupta family.
"A similar project was already being implemented in the Free State, and Lekalakala allegedly decided to participate in the same contract, and apply the Treasury regulations allowing for participation in an existing contract arranged by another organ of state, with the same contract terms," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
However, the contract did not comply with Treasury regulations and the project was not budgeted for, said Mamothame. Mediosa Health allegedly received an upfront payment of R30m, and Lekalakala apparently received gratification in the form of a trip to India, where a billion-dollar hospital for the wealthy was built, using the money from the mobile clinic contracts. The hospital and scheme were apparently the brainchild of the Gupta family.
This is the second corruption scandal faced by the former HOD, who was accused of fraud, along with former North West Finance MEC Wendy Nelson, over his alleged irregular appointment as head of the department in 2014.
Both Lekalakala and Nelson were acquitted of the 2014 R8m fraud charges.
News24 article – Former health department head's R30m fraud case postponed due to ill health (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Fraud case opened against North West Health’s head of department
North West Health HOD and Finance MEC acquitted of job-fixing charge
North West Health boss fired over alleged Gupta fraud links
North West health boss gets bail in Gupta-linked fraud case