Masuku vows to challenge SIU report
OUSTED Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku will challenge the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report implicating him in wrongdoing in court.
Gauteng premier David Makhura momentarily fired Masuku and “discharged” him over widespread personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption.
Makhura made the announcement yesterday and stated that he would not appoint a replacement until the SIU has finalised its investigation into PPE corruption.
Public transport and roads infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo will remain the acting health MEC until the SIU has concluded its probe.
“I have decided as the premier of the province to discharge Masuku from his responsibilities as the Gauteng MEC for health.
“I have taken into cognisance the contribution that Masuku played in improving the department of health since his appointment and the leadership he provided during Covid-19, which is something undisputable, but there are issues before me,” the premier said.
Makhura said the SIU has found that Masuku failed to execute his functions in compliance with the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act.
Masuku said the SIU report handed to Makhura made incorrect and non-factual findings about him.
According to Masuku, he understands the public outcry due to PPE corruption and fraud, but indicated he was, in fact, the person who asked for the investigation into possible PPE fraud.
“There will be no mercy where corruption has happened,” Makhura assured Gauteng residents.
He said PPE corruption impacted on the morale of the workers and was a great disservice to the province’s people.
“Everyone found to have been corrupt must be brought to book,” said Makhura, adding that action and consequences must follow the corrupt.
He continued: “We want the money back lost to PPE corruption”.
Masuku was placed on special leave on July 30 with Makhura appointing his public transport and roads infrastructure counterpart Jacob Mamabolo to temporarily replace him.
The premier also promised that should Masuku be cleared, he would gladly reappoint him.
Makhura said his administration was totally intolerant of corruption.
The IFP backed the action by the Gauteng premier to dismiss his Health MEC.
It said this was an appropriate and commendable action.
The premier assured Gauteng residents that several officials have been suspended or resigned because they clearly did things that are wrong, for which they would be forced to account for.
“Others, it’s because they didn’t take enough action. That’s what the investigation will be saying.
Those with authority could have done more, and they didn’t.
“Others it’s because they did things that are clearly wrong,” he said.