Madikizela and Mabuyane timeline
April 27 2019
Eastern Cape businessman Lonwabo Bam goes to a police station and signs an affidavit stating that he had been part of a fraud and corruption ring that siphoned money from the local municipality. He claims that he had been instructed by Madikizela to put in a fraudulent invoice to the municipality claiming R1.1m for work which was never done. Bam says on instruction from Madikizela, he transferred it to various accounts, including that of Madikizela, the ANC and to pay for renovations to then MEC Oscar Mabuyane’s home.
May 22 2019
Mabuyane is elected premier of the Eastern Cape
May 2019
The Hawks began investigating Bam’s claims.
July 2019
Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane receives a complaint from Buffalo City metro resident Xolile Mashukuca following a report in The Herald.. The paper had reported about misappropriation of about R1m.
March 2021
Hawks complete their investigation and hand over the docket to NPA for a decision.
July 2021
Mabuyane is contacted by a Hawks investigator based in Free State and told he’s being investigated for fraud, corruption and money laundering. He is asked for a meeting.
August 4 2021
Mabuyane, in the presence of his lawyer, gives a warning statement in a meeting with the investigator. September 14 2021
Mabuyane approaches the Bisho High Court and files an application in which he asks the court to force the Hawks to hand him the information contained in its “investigation file” against him. Alternatively, he asks the court to set aside the Hawks decision to investigate him, and says suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule is behind probe.
October 8 2021
Mkhwebane releases her report which made damning findings against Mabuyane for irregularly benefiting from the R1.1m tender that was meant for the memorial service of Struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
October 14 2021
Hawks head Gen Godfrey Lebeya says Hawks will oppose Mabuyane’s high court application. - Isaac Mahlangu