Committee to keep tabs on scandal remedial action

BHISHO legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet has mandated the portfolio committee of the Office of the Premier to closely monitor the implementation of public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s proposed remedial actions against those implicated in the Mandela funeral scandal.

On Friday, the multi-party portfolio committee met and was briefed that it would be the one keeping a close eye on whether the provincial government was implementing Mkhwebane’s recommendations properly or not.

In her report made public in December, Mkhwebane found that some government officials, provincial politicians and state institutions were implicated in the irregular spending of more than R20-million, which was set aside for activities around the time of former statesman Nelson Mandela’s death in December 2013.

The amount formed part of R330-million diverted at the time from the infrastructure development grant.

Portfolio committee chairman Sicelo Gqobana this week confirmed that his committee was briefed by the legislature’s legal team about its new role, which will see it putting pressure on the Phumulo Masualle-led government to properly implement Mkhwebane’s remedial recommendations.

Her recommendations include that action be taken against those found with their hands dirty in irregular spending of taxpayers’ millions.

“As soon as we get a proper referral letter signed by the speaker or her deputy, we will determine when to call the premier to a meeting and hear about his government’s plans on implementing such recommendations,” Gqobana said.

In her report, Mkhwebane said it was shocking that funds were paid to suppliers, with inflated rates, without verification of delivery of services or goods.