This comes after OFM News earlier reported that Bakili alleged in one of his statements that he paid bribes to four officials within the national and provincial health departments to help improve their chances to expand CityMed Day Clinic’s licence in Bloemfontein. The clinic was manned by Louis Siemens who was killed in the basement parking lift in Bloemfontein earlier this year. Bakili was arrested as one of the suspects in the ongoing murder trial and he is also believed to have been business partners with the deceased.

 In response to a set of questions that were sent to him two days ago, Motau said that there is neither any truth to the allegations levelled against him by the murder suspect nor does he have any ties to Bakili. He also refuted allegations that he has worked with Siemens and said he has made an affidavit stating that he had no ties with the murder accused. He further stated that should the court summons him to appear, he will elaborate on statements he made in his affidavit.

He further said that if anyone has any information that he received bribes, they ought to be upfront and he further dared the said parties to contact law enforcement agencies within the prescripts of the law. Among those alleged to also have received bribes from Bakili is the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi. Bakili said the minister received a bribe consisting of two separate amounts - R84 000 and R70 000 – which were allegedly paid into Motsoaledi's bank account on 17 November last year. OFM News’ earlier reported that Motsoaledi's spokesperson, Popo Maja, refuted these claims and said that he is pursuing the matter legally. Maja said while he was not sure whether legal proceedings were instituted already, he could confirm that the minister’s legal team was in contact with Bakili’s legal representatives. It remains unknown whether Motsoaledi will be summoned to take the stand as a witness. Meanwhile, the leader of the DA, Patricia Kopane, said she sent a letter to the Health Minister regarding these allegations. She gave him seven days to respond, failing which she will report him to the Parliament’s Ethics Committee.

OFM News