The former MEC today relayed his first encounter with the alleged mastermind of the murder, Bakili, in the Bloemfontein High Court. Bakili later introduced him to Siemens.

He said he met with Bakili during the opening of the renovated Batho Clinic in 2017 when Bakili, whom he had described as a well-dressed gentleman, approached him and introduced himself.

He adds that Bakili approached and quizzed him on his interest in working with the City Med Board and using one of their facilities for medical purposes.

Malakoane says he, Bakili, and Siemens later met and discussed the prospects of using one of their facilities at Preller Square but he was later bitterly disappointed when he was informed that the board had rejected the idea, citing Malakoane's alleged anti-white sentiments.

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.

Meanwhile, Malakoane told the court that he had met with Bakili four times during their attempt to convince the City Med board to work alongside the department. He added that at the meeting at the Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein, where Bakili was set to give him feedback on the meeting and discussion about the possible relationship with them. He further adds that it was in the last meeting with Bakili that he was introduced to Sello Matthew Rantso whom he asked to play the role of an advisor to the board in terms of acquiring hospital bed licences for their business operation. 

It is alleged that Siemens, the then Managing Director of City Med, paid about R6,5 million in bribes through Bakili to have the day hospital’s application granted.

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. 

Malakoane has also clarified that at no stage he was offered or received a bribe from either the deceased or Bakili. He further stated that both him, as the MEC of Health, and Motsoaledi, would not have been involved in City Med's application for hospital bed licenses.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse