Former North West Health HOD Andrew Lekalakala and former Finance, Economy & Enterprise Development MEC Wendy Nelson and have been acquitted on R8m fraud charges relating to Lekalakala's appointment. The pair appeared in the North West High Court on Tuesday (9 November), reports News24.
NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said they would study the judgment: “We will study it to see if the judge did not err in it (and) if we can find areas of concern before we make a decision on whether we will apply for leave to appeal,” he said.
The state alleged that Nelson had irregularly appointed Lekalakala to the position of superintendent-general in the province's Health Department. Nelson was chairing the panel during Lekalakala's interview and allegedly recommended him for the post, despite apparently knowing that he had made misrepresentations on the job application form.
The alleged fraud, which was calculated at R8m, was apparently remuneration for his position as superintendent-general. After his appointment in 2019, it was reported that Lekalakala had been arrested for fraud and corruption related to the controversial mobile clinic tender awarded to the Gupta-aligned company, Mediosa.
News24 article – Former North West MEC, HOD acquitted of R8m fraud charges (Open access)
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Fraud case opened against North West Health's head of department
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