PEC must probe Makhura’s fitness to hold office, says ANCYL

PEC must probe Makhura’s fitness to hold office, says ANCYL

by | Jan 29, 2021

The ANC Youth League in Gauteng is calling for an investigation into David Makhura’s fitness to hold office as Gauteng premier.

The youth league says several scandals happened under his watch since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The young lions have called on the governing party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to probe the premier.

“It is for this reason that the ANCYL calls on Premier David Makhura to avail himself to appear before the ANC Provincial Integrity Committee and account for his failure to facilitate oversight and prevent this outrageous looting of state resources.

“The ANCYL further calls on the ANC in the Province to investigate the involvement of our deployed Cadres in this COVID-19-related corruption scandal throughout Gauteng Provincial Government,” Says ANCYL in a statement.

“Finally the ANCYL in Gauteng calls on the ANC PEC to initiate a process that will investigate the Premier’s fitness to hold office given the mortifying scandals taking place under his watch.”

Dr Bandile Masuku was axed in October last year after been implicated in the PPE scandal.

An interim report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) concluded that Masuku failed to exercise his executive powers into the compliance of the contracts.

‘Lesufi must also account’

The Youth league says Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi must also be held accountable for his department’s R431 million spending on COVID-19 services.

“The ANCYL in Gauteng appreciates the call made by MEC Panyaza Lesufi to investigate the expenditure of R430 million on ‘deep cleaning’ and ‘decontamination’ of public schools.

“We simply cannot accept his “shock” on this matter and therefore call upon Premier David Makhura to hold MEC Panyaza Lesufi accountable for the alleged wasteful and exorbitant spending at the Department.”

Teacher unions have slammed the department’s spending, saying the money should have been spent on money could have been used towards the securing of vaccines for teachers, and procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for learners.

Gauteng Health MEC fired

Gauteng Health MEC fired

by | Oct 9, 2020

Dr Bandile Masuku has been fired as the Gauteng Health MEC.

The move follows a report from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which found Masuku to have failed to execute his functions in compliance with the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Premier David Makhura made the announcement on Friday, during a Gauteng Provincial Command Council briefing on COVID-19.

Makhura says while Masuku has done a sterling job since taking office in May 2019, the facts before him have necessitated his decision.

The investigation into alleged Personal Protective Equipment corruption in the province is, however, continuing.  

Makhura says he won’t fill Masuku’s post until the probe is completed as he wants to know whether the fired MEC was involved in acts of collusion or corruption.

The Premier says he will reinstate Masuku should he be cleared of wrongdoing.

He has also expressed hope for the probe to be completed soon.

Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo will continue to act in Masuku’s post until the SIU’s final report is released.

Masuku was placed on special leave in July following suspicions of impropriety against him after it emerged that the company of President’s Spokesperson, Khusela Diko, had been awarded a R125 million PPE contract.

The Dikos are friends with the Masukus. The former Health MEC and the President’s Spokesperson also serve together in the ANC Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).

Diko, Masuku and his wife – Loyiso who works in the Johannesburg Mayor’s office, have all denied any wrongdoing in the matter.