TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 10: Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku. Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu)
TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 10: Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku. Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu)
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng have announced that they have lodged a criminal complaint against provincial health MEC Bandile Masuku, as well as his wife Loyiso.
The two are implicated in the festering Gauteng personal protective equipment (PPE) scandal along with Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko and his wife, former spokesperson for the Presidency, Khusela Diko.
They are being investigated by the Special Investigation Unit (SUI), which has been ordered to conduct its inquiries into allegations of corruption regarding the procurement of a multimillion rand tender and the inflation of unit prices.
EFF Gauteng to take the Masukus to court
The EFF announced that they had taken legal action against Masuku and his wife in a statement released on Saturday 1 August.
“Economic Freedom Fighter Gauteng Acting Chairperson Itani Mukwevho will be opening a case of corruption again MEC Dr. Bandile Masuku and MMC Loyiso Masuku,” they said.
In a separate statement, the provincial wing of the red berets said that they welcomed Masuku’s suspension from office during the investigation, having called for it earlier in the week, but said that the rot runs much deeper than anyone is aware of in Gauteng and lifestyle audits should be conducted on all involved in the dispensation of COVID-19 related funds.
“With over 102 companies being the subject of investigations, the EFF Gauteng demands that lifestyle audits be conducted for all those involved in the procurement of PPE during this COVID-19 period,” they said.
“The EFF in Gauteng holds a strong view that the Provincial Integrity Committee of the ANC is just a structure used to shield and protect wrong-doing.”
“It cannot be trusted to conduct fair investigation on this matter.”
‘ANC cannot be trusted with public resources’
They said that the African National Congress (ANC) is untrustworthy and cannot be placed in charge of funds for fear that they will simply loot them dry.
“We have long argued that the ANC cannot be trusted with public resources, especially where money is involved,” they said.
“There are more allegations that have surfaced indicating that COVID-19 presented an opportunity to loot the state where public monies meant to fight the pandemic were dispensed to companies whose owners are politically connected to the ruling party,” they said.
