Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

It doesn't rain but pours for a self-proclaimed chief in Limpopo; is being sought in connection with stock theft.

Lesiba Alpheus Kekana of Hlakano village, Zebediela, is on the run after he allegedly escaped at a roadblock while in the company of his lawyer Jerry Ngoasheng.

Kekana was a passenger in Ngoasheng's vehicle when they came across a roadblock in Zebediela on Saturday last week.

The two were found carrying a stolen cow they allegedly fetched in the fields in the area.

Before police realised it, Kekana had fled and was never seen again. Ngoasheng was immediately arrested and charged with a count of stock theft. A warrant for the arrest of Kekana, 51, was issued and police were still looking for him.

But the man is not new to controversy. Kekana was arrested for fraud earlier this year after he allegedly stole a rubber stamp from the offices of the local traditional authority.

He allegedly used the stamp to issue letters to illegal immigrants declaring them South Africans.

The matter came to light during an investigation by immigration officials.

It was found that Kekana had issued more than 120 letters to foreigners, whose applications for government grants were later approved.

"Kekana faces a charge of aiding and abetting illegal immigrants to obtain South African identity documents fraudulently," said a Home Affairs official.

He said two of the illegal immigrants Kekana had allegedly helped were still in police custody.

Provincial home affairs spokesman Sam Moremi confirmed yesterday that they were still searching for Kekana.

Police have asked members of the public for assistance.