Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily
Johannesburg, South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, is currently embroiled in a US$7.4 million tender scam.
This comes after her husband amaBhaca king, Thandisizwe Diko, through his company Royal Bhaca Projects was allegedly awarded a US$7.4 million tender by the provincial Health department a couple of weeks ago to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
However, it was soon discovered that Royal Bhaca Projects was formed late last year and therefore, had no experience in procuring PPEs plus the fact that the Presidential spokesperson was the partner of the king.
The province’s Health Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Dr. Bandile Masuku and his wife Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku who is also a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of Corporate and Shared Services in Johannesburg have also been implicated in the scam.
However, Diko has since taken a leave of absence pending the investigation. Earlier on today the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) through its provincial secretary for Gauteng, Jacob Khawe, issued out a presser on the party’s stance in relation to their accused members.
“We follow engagements we don’t rush to issue press conferences. However, the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) has to immediately resolve the issue for the benefit of the people of Gauteng, the Premier has to pressure the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) about the procurement.
In addition, we also realise that the ANC is losing the trust of the people due to corruption, the case has now been subjected to the Provincial Integrity Committee (PIC) which will take between two to four weeks.
Moreso, we have also noted the leave of absence taken by Cde. Diko however, we have also decided that the Health MEC and the MMC should take a leave of absence for the duration of the investigations,” said Khawe.
Commenting on the issue, Prof. Mcebisi Ndletyana, a political analyst said the move taken by the ANC was the right one.
“The PIC has a fairly good history of probing cases. The province is carrying on with its ethos of clean governance.
It’s also good news for the President since he doesn’t have a firm grip on Lithuli House, that proves people are listening to him,” said Prof. Ndletyana.
However, another political analyst, Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke said there wasn’t really anything to celebrate about.
“This should have never happened there isn’t anything to celebrate besides the SIU doesn’t have a good track record,” said Prof. Maluleke.
Meanwhile, Gauteng’s MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, is now the acting MEC of Health.
