The North West Department of Health confirms that the head of department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala has been placed on precautionary suspension.
Tebogo Lekgethwane, the spokesperson of the health department said in a statement that this precautionary suspension follows Lekalakala’s return to work on 19 November 2018 after the arbitration outcome which nullified his special leave.
‘The precautionary suspension is based on the nature and seriousness of allegations levelled against him as well as the ongoing disciplinary hearing which is scheduled for 11 and 12 December 2018. The HOD, Dr Lekalakala, is facing allegations of procurement irregularities and misrepresentation,’ said Lekgethwane.
According to News 24, the former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo suspended Lekalakala in April over a contract given to Gupta-linked healthcare company Mediosa. ‘Mediosa, which also paid for Lekalakala’s junket to India in 2017, was allegedly awarded a R30m, three-year contract by the health department in advance and without it going out to tender. Mahumapelo at the time had instituted forensic investigations into the health department following allegations against Lekalakala regarding the Mediosa contract.’
Lekgethwane added that Lekalakala’s precautionary suspension is also necessitated by a need to avoid possible interference with disciplinary processes and service delivery. ‘This is in terms of Chapter 7 of the Senior Management Handbook,’ said Lekgethwane.
