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Gauteng MEC for Health Dr. Bandile Masuku.
Sharon Seretlo, Gallo Images via Getty Images
- Former Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku’s challenge to the SIU findings against him will be heard in January.
- His lawyers say the matter will be heard by a full court.
- Prime Minister David Makhura fired Masuku based on the findings.
Former Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku’s challenge to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) findings against him will be heard in Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in January 2021.
Masuku’s attorney, Mojalefa Motalane, said in a statement Friday that his client’s request for review would be heard by a full court of judges.
“Our client welcomes the court’s decision to assign a full court, as this further reinforces the importance of this matter and our client’s firm belief that the court is, in this sense, the most appropriate forum to take a proper determination of the facts and laws before him, “he said.
This comes after the SIU’s preliminary report placed Masuku at the center of processes in the provincial health department that saw the husband of the presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, receive a R125 million tender to supply equipment for personal protection (PPE), News24 reported.
READ | PPE Tender Scandal: Bandile Masuku to Challenge SIU Findings in High Court
Prime Minister David Makhura fired Masuku on the basis of the SIU preliminary report which concluded that he “did not fulfill his role in accordance with the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).”
Masuku and Diko were also expected to appear before the ANC Gauteng disciplinary committee, News24 reported.
Motalane, however, stated that his client had still not received a charge sheet from the ANC provincial disciplinary committee more than 20 days after his temporary suspension took place.
Therefore, Masuku was considering his legal options to protect his membership rights in accordance with the expectations of Rule 25.57.4 and 25.57.5 of the ANC constitution, which required a member to have the opportunity to comment on the charges before being suspended.
“We have no doubt that a fair and impartial court of law will rule in our client’s favor and grant him the relief he seeks so that ultimately justice can be served and seen to be done,” concluded Motalane.
ANC Gauteng spokesman Bones Modise said he did not have enough information to comment on the matter.
