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Axed Gauteng health’s MEC Bandile Masuku has criticized an SIU report that fired him, describing him as “a smoking gun in a film of smoke and mirrors.”
Masuku was fired by his boss, Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura, on Friday after an SIU report placed him firmly at the center of the irregular procurement of PPE by the province’s health department, saying that not only did he know it, but he “promoted it, facilitated it, allowed it and / or just turned a blind eye and did nothing about it.”
Commenting on his dismissal in a 13-page press release, Masuku fired a volley at the SIU, accusing it of giving in to public pressure or venturing into political games.
“The SIU is either under extreme pressure for legitimate public outcry against corruption and the need to ensure accountability or is deliberately engaged in politics for purposes that have yet to be established,” Masuku said in his lengthy statement.
He said we would file a judicial challenge against the SIU report, asking him to set aside his findings.
Masuku became embroiled in the PPE scandal after Royal Bhaca, a company owned by Thandisizwe Diko, husband of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko, obtained an offer of R125m from his department.
Masuku is a friend of the Dikos family.
However, a defiant Masuku lashed out at the SIU report, saying it was peppered with inaccuracies and innuendo.
“The SIU report draws incorrect and non-factual conclusions about my role as executive authority. It is not clear whether the report is final and, to this end, I have written to the Prime Minister to explain that, in fact, and in accordance with the law, I will exercise my legal rights to review the findings in a court of law to establish one side, ”Masuku said.
He was convinced that the SIU report had ignored all other affidavits, including his own, and had chosen to rely on an affidavit.
“[The report]does not refer to information, facts and documentary evidence submitted by me and my office. [It] it confuses the functions of an executive and accounting authority and thus undermines the principle of liability for separation. [and] it makes no connection between the evidence and the findings, ”Masuku said.
He maintained that there was no evidence to point to his interference with the EPP acquisition and that he did not steal people’s money.
Masuku said the report uses innuendo in a way that gives the impression that they are engaging in political speech rather than seeking truth and facts.
“[The report]it is based on unproven evidence which is then used to hint and draw wrong conclusions. [it] is based on incorrect sections of the PFMA [Public Finance Management Act] to make unprecedented and inaccurate findings that may undermine proper governance itself.
“[It] It imposes decisions and powers on me that I have nothing to do with, although the evidence and prescriptions point to a different reality, ”said Masuku.
He said law enforcement agencies should never substitute populism for principle.
Despite being expelled as MEC, Masuku will retain his position as a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature.
TimesLIVE
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