EFF calls on Khusela Diko ‘to step aside’ as Ramaphosa spokesperson
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko to step aside.
This comes amid reports that Diko's husband, Amabaca King Madzikazi II Thandisizwe, benefited from a R125 million Covid-19 tender from the Gauteng government.
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A report in the Sunday Independent linked Masuku and his wife Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku to a R125 million tender for protective gear. Masuku says he is not involved and cannot influence the decisions taken around procurement. "I formally requested a forensic audit into Covid-19 procurement and Premier David Makhura subsequently requested the Special Investigative Unit to undertake this investigation.
EFF leader Julius Malema believes Diko cannot speak on behalf of the president when her husband is linked to corruption.
"The president is supposed to champion anti-corruption campaigns, how is she going to speak? When her husband is deeply involved in corrupt activities.
"To say she didn't know is to take advantage of our own people. She knew she is probably part of the business or she probably gave direction, she probably filled in the papers herself.
"The president must make the honourable thing and ask her to step aside, in defence and the integrity of that office.”
Speaking outside the Soweto home of late struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni on Monday, Malema said he doesn’t think Ramaphosa will ask Diko to step down.
"Because the president is the same person who is protecting the documents in courts, which are supposed to reveal who bought him the office of the president.
"So if he was a transparent man, an anti-corruption man like he projected himself, he will not have the documents that he sealed.”
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Several top ANC leaders, including secretary-general Ace Magashule and former president Kgalema Motlanthe, were in attendance. ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said Mlangeni had left an indelible mark on the country and its people. "Up to his last days he dreamt of and worked tirelessly of a country towards a country where all shall enjoy equality, prosperity and dignity.