MEC not involved in Chika's death: department

North West human settlements and public safety MEC Nono Maloyi has not been arrested for murder, his department said on Wednesday.

It had been alleged on social networking sites and by the media that he had been arrested for the murder of ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika, said departmental spokesman Simon Mmope.

"The department wishes to put it on record that the MEC is highly on duty and is proceeding with his day-to-day programme of government," he said.

"We would like to dismiss all allegations and put it on record that they are all lies and propaganda."

Mmope said Maloyi was a law-abiding citizen.

"The MEC has vowed to trace the source of these unfounded and malicious allegations. He was been advised to open a case of crimen injuria with the SA Police Service."

Chika, 33, was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his home in Alabama, Klerksdorp, on December 14. He died at Klerksdorp Hospital shortly after his arrival there.

Seven people have been arrested for his murder. Among them are North West local government MEC China Dodovu, provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane and councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi.

The group began applying for bail in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.