Makhura names new Health MEC
GAUTENG Premier David Makhura has appointed Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi as the new Health MEC despite former MEC Dr Bandile Masuku challenging his dismissal in court.
Masuku has filed an urgent application asking the North Gauteng High Court, in Pretoria, to set aside the findings of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) which found that he had failed to conduct an executive oversight in the awarding of personal protective equipment (PPEs) tenders while at the helm.
In his papers, Masuku, who was fired in October, argues through his lawyers that: “The SIU findings reach untruthful and unsubstantiated allegations which are based on illogical references, suppositions and conjecture."
He further says: "The lack of a factual and/or evidentiary foundation for the impugned findings heightens the injustice that our client has suffered and continues to suffer."
Masuku's lawyers also point out that “the SIU's findings have the propensity to impair not only the political and professional work of our client, now and in the future but that of all other Executive Authorities” .
The case is set down for January 21. Yesterday, Masuku and his legal counsel Mojalefa Motalane did not respond to requests to react to Makhura's latest appointment.
Earlier, Makhura appeared unmoved by the legal action against him and the SIU.
Explaining his decision, he acknowledged that Masuku was challenging his dismissal saying: “I operate in the realm of executive decision making. I am satisfied with the decision I’ve made. It was taken after consultation with the governing ANC and the Alliance partners. We also had consultations with the ANC national officials."
He also said: “I was not forced. The surge (Covid-19) is around the corner. The processes of court can take much longer. I am not going to be bogged down by those processes. I am doing my job. I must ensure that the Health Department is in good hands and we are ready to fight the pandemic."