This, after a verdict by the Public Health and Social Development Sectorial Bargaining Council ordering the Provincial Health Department to reinstate him after he was placed on special leave pending forensic investigations into his alleged involvement in corruption. Lekalakala stands accused of bringing the department into a state of disarray and benefiting from the Gupta-linked company, Mediosa. It is alleged that his involvement in the Gupta-linked company was under the direction of the former premier Supra Mahumapelo and that his dealings with the family sparked outrage amongst the department’s workers who embarked on protests calling for his removal earlier this year. These protests rocked the country and made national headlines as they saw health services in the province coming to a halt with medical personnel being chased out of hospitals and clinics.

Lekalakala was then suspended in April and when his suspension lapsed in June, he was placed on special leave. The department’s spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, in a statement says “the arbitration verdict which instructs the Department to reinstate Lekalakala is only concerned with the merits of the special leave. This verdict does not deal with the investigations and the disciplinary actions. The Department can confirm that disciplinary actions are continuing”.

He says a disciplinary committee investigating charges brought against Lekalakala has already been set up. These charges specifically relate to procurement irregularities and the misrepresentation of facts.

The disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for December.

Lekgethwane has further appealed to the members of the public and public servants to allow the law to take its course and says the department is still studying the verdict and applying its mind on the matter regarding his special leave.

OFM News