Masuku, Diko to face ANC Gauteng DC

Masuku, Diko to face ANC Gauteng DC

The ANC Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) wants former Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku and Presidential Spokesperson Khusela Diko disciplined.

“The PEC further decided that comrade Bandile and comrade Khusela should step aside from organisational activities pending the finalisation of the DC process,” the party’s provincial treasurer Parks Tau told the media on Thursday.

The pair has also been suspended from taking part in organisational matters until the disciplinary process is wrapped up.

Masuku, his wife Loyiso who works for the Mayor’s office in the City of Johannesburg and Diko are embroiled in an alleged Personal Protective Equipment procurement scandal.

It relates to the R124 million PPE contract Diko’s husband secured at Gauteng Health, while Masuku was still the MEC. The couples are close friends and have denied collusion.

Diko has taken a leave of absence until investigations into the matter a completed.

Masuku was recently sacked as Gauteng MEC after the Special Investigating Unit’s preliminary report on the scandal found him guilty of failing to execute his functions – thus violating the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Masuku is challenging those findings. Despite this, however, his Gauteng comrades want him replaced urgently.

The ANC Gauteng PEC has urged Premier David Makhura to find a replacement for the former MEC and stabilise the provincial health department that has been rocked by high profile resignations recently amid the PPE corruption allegations.

Masuku’s wife has meanwhile been given the greenlight to return to work. The PEC says it has found allegations against her to be unsubstantiated.

Thursday’s Gauteng ANC PEC’s briefing followed a two-day special virtual meeting, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Another matter that dominated talks at the meeting, was the VBS scandal.

The PEC’s Deputy Secretary-General, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, said the PEC will pronounce its decision on the matter once an appeal that is before the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is complete.

Chairperson of Parliament Communications Portfolio Committee, Boyce Maneli, and Merafong Mayor Maphefo Letsie-Mogale have lodged the appeal with the NEC.

They are contesting the PEC’s resolve that they resign over their alleged failure to act against officials involved in the VBS saga.

Gauteng Health MEC fired

Gauteng Health MEC fired

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.