Five North West Health officials and two service providers accused of fraud will appear in the Mahikeng Magistrates’ Court in two months’ time for a pretrial.

All seven accused appeared in the court on Thursday (30/5) when the case was postponed to 22 July.

North West Department of Health director Ntelaleng Matlapeng (59) and former director Elliot Motene (49) were the last to be arrested. The pair was arrested on Tuesday (28/5) by the Hawks and appeared in court on the same day.

‘Their arrest emanates from an investigation into tender irregularities’

“Their arrest emanates from an investigation into tender irregularities between 2008 and 2009 when the North West Provincial government sought to build two hospitals in Ledig, the Moses Kotane Hospital, and in Vryburg the Joe Marolong Hospital,” said North West Hawks spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula.

“Investigations revealed that the accused certified payment vouchers for exchange rates of R75 million when the contract and specifications did not allow the exchange rates to be claimed.”

“Matlapeng faces one count of fraud, while Motene faces two counts of fraud, they were released on R5 000 bail,” said Mathebula.

‘The two service providers face six charges of fraud’

The two former HOD’s Andrew Lekalakala (58) and Lydia Sebego (63), are facing charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, and charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act. Vuyo Mbulawa (54), Chief Director of the department, is charged with ten counts of fraud.

The two service providers Roulph Mabe (68) and Joseph Leshabane (61) face six counts of fraud.

The allegations against the two former department heads included agreements, signed by the directors of both companies related to the services the two hospitals required.

‘The Department of Health allegedly lost close to R140 million’

“However, the services were not provided to the hospitals, and these businesses submitted false invoices,” said Mathebula.

“The Department of Health allegedly lost over R86 million paid to Mabe’s company and over R49 million paid to Leshabane’s company.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh