SIU Welcomes The Discharged MEC Masuku's Decision To Challenge It's Findings.
By Phumzile Mavimbela
On Sunday the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced that the dismissed Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku had the right to challenge the preliminary findings against him. The SIU found that Masuku failed to uphold the Constitution and regulations contained in the Public Finance Management Act.
The SIU began investigating Masuku after it was alleged that the former MEC played a pivotal and questionable role in the awarding of a R125-million PPE tender to Royal Bhaca ProjectS, a company 100%-owned by Thandisizwe Diko, the husband of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko. The Masukus and Dikos are family friends. Masuku’s wife Loyiso is also a business partner of Thandisizwe's. Both families have denied the allegation
MEC Bandile Masuku has instructed his lawyers to apply to set aside the findings of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report that saw him being removed from his position on Friday.
“The SIU report makes incorrect and non-factual findings about my role as Executive Authority. It is unclear whether the report is final, and to this end I have written to the Premier to explain to him that in fact and in law, I will be exercising my rights in law to review the findings in a court of law to set them aside,” said Masuku
In media briefing on Friday Gauteng Premier David Makhura stated that following the findings by SIU he has come to a decision of dismissing MEC Masuku
“Based on their finding where they say the MEC has failed to execute his functions in compliance with the constitution and the PFMA [Public Finance Management Act], I have decided as the premier of the province to discharge Dr Bandile Masuku from his responsibilities as the Gauteng MEC for health"
Makhura said he has taken into cognisance the contribution MEC Masuku played in improving the department of health since his appointment in May 2019 and the leadership that he provided during Covid-19 is undisputable.
Gauteng Premier further stated that based on its finding, the SIU had recommended that he should take administrative action against Masuku over his suitability to hold office as the responsible MEC for health.
“Taking into account that there is a part of the SIU report that is still outstanding, they have given me one part of the report, and they have said that they are still completing the investigation of acts of corruption or collusion, I will not fill this vacancy for the MEC for health until they have submitted the final report,” said Makhura.
Makhura said MEC Jacob Mamabolo will continue as the acting MEC for health until he has received the final report of the SIU
“I want to say, should MEC Masuku be cleared, I will gladly reappoint him. But as things go at the moment, that's part of the investigation that is ongoing."
However opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Makhura to appointment a new MEC as a matter of urgency, saying it did not want Masuku back.
Masuku denied acting in a dishonest, illegal or corrupt manner to benefit himself, his family he alleged that the SIU report ignored all other affidavits and focused on only one and made no reference to information presented by him and his office.
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