Mamabolo appointed as acting Gauteng Health MEC
Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo will act as the province’s Health MEC after Bandile Masuku was placed on leave of absence pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
Masuku’s leave of absence takes effect immediately and will remain in place for the next 4 weeks.
He is accused of having a hand in a dodgy deal in the procurement of protective gear in the province.
Last week the Sunday Independent published a report that linked Masuku and his wife Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku to a R125 million tender for protective gear.
The report also fingers the president’s spokesperson Khusela Diko and husband Thandisizwe Diko.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said at a media briefing on Thursday that the allegations are very concerning.
“These allegations have eroded public confidence in the government I have the honour to lead. There is no doubt the scale of these allegations have profoundly eroded public confidence in the work of the collective, but also these allegations have profoundly undermined the tremendous work done by various sectors of our healthcare members across the province in the fight against Covid-19."
Makhura says: "These allegations have eroded public confidence in the government I have the honour to lead." #GPCommandCouncil pic.twitter.com/qxbr3yIlld
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 30, 2020
Makhura said he cannot ignore the allegations.
“I’m really, really disappointed to have an MEC in this front, leading really well, to be now facing allegations that cannot be ignored. These cannot be ignored by any serious government, nor can the ANC ignore and the ANC itself has taken specific decisions.
“With these allegations thrown his way it is not advisable for him to be devilled by those instead of focusing on the battle in our hands,” he added.
The Masuku’s and Diko’s have denied any involvement.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura reveals that Health MEC Bandile Masuku has been placed on leave of absence for an initial 4 weeks pending investigations. Makhura says he's disappointed that one of his top performing MEC's is being accused of corruption. #GPCommandCouncil pic.twitter.com/EHJgqQ7qBV
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 30, 2020
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They join President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko's leave of absence over the R125 million personal protective equipment tender awarded to her husband King Madzikane II Diko's Royal Bacha projects. Diko took leave from all her government roles on Monday. The Dikos, who have close ties to the Masuku couple, claim the tenders were later cancelled at their request.