Khuselo Diko’s husband amaBhaca Chief dies following short illness

The scandal-marred Diko family has been hit by a tragedy with reports emerging on Sunday evening, 21 February, that self-proclaimed King to the amaBhaca tribe, Madzikane ll Thandisizwe Diko – husband to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s embattled spokesperson Khusela Diko – has died in an East London based private hospital.

DIKO RUMOURED TO HAVE BEEN TREATED FOR PANCREATITIS

The details surrounding his death, including the date of his admission, are limited at this stage, however the Daily Dispatch reports Prince Vuluthuba Sangoni has confirmed the shocking news. Sources have however informed the South African that Thandisizwe Diko was being treated for pancreatitis related complications at the time of his death. The latter information has not been confirmed.

SELF-PROCLAIMED AMABHACA ‘KING’ EMBROILED IN R 125 MILLION PPE SCANDAL

The self-proclaimed King of the amaBhaca tribe – a title that is under dispute – came under public scrutiny in 2020, when the Sunday Independent, published a damning investigative piece exposing the web of corruption at the Gauteng Health Department over the procurement of personal protective equipment under the leadership of then Health MEC, Dr Bandile Masuku.

It’s alleged the provincial health department awarded PPE contracts worth R 125 million to Royal Bhaca Projects, owned by Thandisizwe. Inferences were drawn regarding the impact the close friendship between the Masuku’s and the Diko’s played in the awarding of this tender. Following the publication of the article, the tenders were cancelled, and Royal Bhaca Projects never received any of the money.

COMPANY BELONGING TO THE AMABHACA LEADER PROBED BY SIU

Masuku was promptly axed by Gauteng Premier David Makhura for “failing to execute his executive functions” whilst Khusela Diko went on a leave of absence following the exposé. Royal Bhaca Projects is being probed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The SIU has somewhat vindicated Khusela Diko regarding the scandal finding no evidence of her meddling in the procurement process for the PPE tenders in the Gauteng Health Department.

The SIU did flag Ramaphosa’s spokesperson for not disclosing her financial interests, resulting in disciplinary processes being instituted against her.

She and Masuku have also been summoned to account before the ANC regarding the matter.

This is a developing story