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Dr. Bandile Masuku has been removed as the MEC of Gauteng Health, after he went on special leave in July this year following allegations of irregularities in the province’s PPE (personal protective equipment) procurement processes.
During a press conference on Friday, Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura confirmed that the decision was made after receiving an updated report from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on the corruption allegations.
Makhura said Masuku, who was also implicated in the matter, was found to have failed to perform his duties as established by the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
“Based on the SIU’s findings and their recommendation, the administrative course of action I am taking is to discharge Dr. Bandile Masuku of his responsibilities as MEC for Gauteng Health,” said the prime minister.
The prime minister noted that due to the SIU’s ongoing investigation, he would appoint a new MEC upon completion of the investigation.
“Taking into account that there is a part of the investigation that is still pending, I have also decided that I will only appoint the new MEC of health once the SIU has reached firmness in its investigation into the allegations of corruption and collusion,” he said. . .
Makhura, however, added that if Masuku is acquitted, he will be re-elected as MEC.
“So [Jacob] Mamabolo will continue to act as Health MEC. If the MEC is approved, I will gladly reappoint him to his previous position, ”said the prime minister.
Masuku’s removal comes after well-known forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who compiled a separate SIU report, acquitted him of any wrongdoing on the allegations.
O’Sullivan was reportedly tasked with investigating the allegations against Masuku, who compiled a separate report from SIU.
BREAKAGE: A forensic report by investigator Paul O’Sullivan who analyzed the Gauteng Health Department PPE scandal has ABSOLVED MEC Bandile Masuku of any wrongdoing. She says that if anyone is to blame, it is Khusela Diko’s husband, Thandisizwe. @ Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/wdR7ci6ZP9
– Ziyanda N (@ZiyandaNgcobo) October 9, 2020
Masuku’s wife, Loyiso, a member of the Johannesburg Mayor’s Committee, was also implicated in alleged corruption along with Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko, husband of ANC provincial executive committee member and spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, Khusela Diko.
Madzikane Diko allegedly received a R125 million irregular PPE contract from the provincial health department in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the head of the Gauteng health department, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele, resigned after being placed on preventive suspension last week.
Gauteng government spokesman Thabo Masebe said the SIU recommended the preventive suspension.
The SIU found that the department head allegedly had not exercised responsibility in awarding contracts during the procurement of goods and services related to the pandemic.
He said the actions or alleged omissions may have led to wasted and wasted expenses.
Andile Gwabeni, deputy general manager of Human Resources and Corporate Services, also received a suspension letter last Thursday.
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