Malakoane’s name came up during the testimony of the state’s first witness in the trial, 42-year-old local businessman, Sello Matthew Rantso, last week on Thursday 31 October. Rantso revealed that Malakoane introduced him to accused number one in the trial, Stanley Bakili, in 2017. This meeting initiated the relationship between the two businessmen that would result in Rantso playing an advisory role in the City Med Day Hospital’s application for hospital bed licenses. 

This application forms the background of the state’s case. OFM News’ Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse report it is alleged Siemens, the then Managing Director of City Med, paid about R 6,5 million in bribes through Bakili to have the day hospital’s application granted.

Presently Malakoane is speaking on his relationship with Bakili and the deceased. He says he first met Bakili at the opening of the renovated Batho clinic in mid 2017 while Malakoane was the MEC of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea). 

One of the government officials alleged to have received bribes from this deal, is the former Health and current Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi. The Minister’s alleged involvement stems from the fact that a moratorium was placed on the awarding of contracts and appointments at the provincial health department from 2013 to September 2017.

Siemens was shot and killed in the basement parking lot of Preller Square Shopping Complex on Thursday 10 May 2018, just after 15:00 pm. Since that day, ten men have been arrested in connection with the murder, eight of whom are now standing trial. They are Bakili, Mogoera Molebatsi, Kagiso Chabane, Mojalefa Jali Molusi, Moeketsi Lesia, Karabo Tau, Sizwe Mpati and Clive Tshivenga. They are 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.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse