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Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura during a provincial Covid-19 presentation.
@GautengProvince, Twitter
- Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura is considering a report from SIU, which has made findings on Health MEC Bandile Masuku.
- The report refers to allegations of Masuku’s role in PPE procurement irregularities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Masuku has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Gauteng Prime Minister David Makhura received, and is considering, a report from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) related to the alleged role of Health MEC Bandile Masuku in the irregularities in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement Monday, Gauteng provincial government spokesman Thabo Masebe said that Makhura received the SIU report on Friday.
The report made findings about Masuku, who was put on “special leave” in July this year.
“The prime minister is giving due consideration to the latest SIU report and further announcements will be made on Friday regarding the findings, recommendations and the appropriate course of action to be taken,” Masebe said, without going into the details of the report.
Masuku was put on leave by Makhura following reports of corruption by bidding at the Gauteng Health Department.
READ | ‘The MEC loves its people’: this is how Diko qualified the PPE R120m tender, says SIU
News24 previously reported that Masuku was named in a PPE acquisition scandal involving a R125 million contract awarded to Khusela Diko’s husband.
Diko is the spokesperson for the president, who has also been put on leave.
The SIU argued that Royal Bhaca, owned by Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko, received contracts illegally, which were later canceled due to Diko’s proximity to the MEC.
READ HERE | Former Gauteng Health Chief Expected To Fight Accusations Of PPE Looting Scandal
Former Gauteng health department financial director Kabelo Lehloenya is alleged to have said “the MEC loves its people” before he irregularly signed two PPE tenders awarded to Diko.
Meanwhile, the head of the province’s health department, Professor Mkhululi Lukhele, resigned after being placed on preventive suspension last week.
READ ALSO | Gauteng to investigate all ‘irregular’ deals as questions arise about Nasrec’s ‘secret’ contract
Lukhele’s suspension follows another report from the SIU, which concluded that he had allegedly failed to exercise responsibility in the award of contracts during the acquisition of goods and services related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
News24 reported that Lukhele’s alleged actions may have led to wasted and useless expenses, according to the SIU.
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