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By Staff Reporter 
10h ago
Johannesburg – Fired Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has launched a rematch against Gauteng Premier David Makhura. This follows his farewell on Friday.
Masuku is accused of facilitating a 125 million rand tender for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, and her husband, King Thandisizwe Diko.
Makhura allegedly fired Masuku without considering an independent investigative report from private investigator Paul O’Sullivan in which he (O’Sullivan) acquitted Masuku but directly implicated the Dikos.
Masuku has now put his lawyers before the prime minister, asking Makhura to explain the reasons why he fired him.
Shortly after Makhura’s statement to fire Masuku, Masuku issued his statement accusing the SIU (Special Investigations Unit) of using innuendo with political speech and having no interest in finding truths. Masuku also accused the SIU of not studying his affidavit.
The report makes no findings on the Dikos.
The battle between two of Gauteng’s political heavyweights is in full swing.
The Democratic Nursing Organization of South Africa (Denosa) has strongly supported Masuku and lashed out at Makhura, accusing him of “playing politics”.
Denosa Provincial President Simphiwe Gada criticized Makhura for promising to reappoint Masuku after the final report.
“It tells us that the SIU report found that the MEC did not comply in terms of what is required in the Constitution.
“Indeed, he is telling us that he was incompetent in the exercise of his supervisory function. Then the prime minister says that if he is acquitted of corruption in the final report, he will consider hiring him again, ”he said.
“If you want to be loved by everyone, then you must sell ice cream. Being a leader requires you to make painful and difficult decisions.
“We know that you have made it clear that you are disappointed in Bandile Masuku even though you have done a good job leading the fight against Covid-19.
“The prime minister should not play politics and test the waters on how people will react if he fires Masuku,” he said.
Ilawu (Independent Union of Liberation and Allied Workers) has also come out in Masuku’s defense, accusing Makhura of targeting Masuku to protect the Dikos.
“We know that it was the president’s trusted doctor who got the tender. It is questionable why the prime minister would fire Dr. Masuku before the final report is released if not to protect Khusela.
“Makhura is firing Dr. Masuku to save his own job. We will never allow that, ”said Ilawu Secretary General Siphamandla Masimula.
“It was Masuku who joined the SIU after the CFO resigned. That is why they want it out.
“Why is the prime minister not making that report public?” Masimula asked.
In a surprise move, the union also asked Makhura to leave his post until the SIU completed the investigation, with Gada arguing that there were allegations about Makhura’s involvement in the PPE Covid-19 scandal.
He said the union was writing a letter to Makhura on Sunday asking him to step aside.
“His name has been popping up and we believe that where there is smoke there may be fire and therefore he should also consider taking a special license and allowing the SIU investigations to conclude,” Gada said.
Makhura’s spokesman, Vuyo Mhaga, had not responded to questions at the time of publication on Sunday.
The star
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