DA submits papers to probe regarding Mmemezi splurge

THE DA in Gauteng has handed over documentation to the legislature’s integrity committee to assist it in probing the financial splurges of MEC for Local Government and Housing Humphrey Mmemezi.

Integrity commissioner Dr Ralph Mgijima is investigating claims of credit-card abuse against Mmemezi.

One of the issues in question is the R10 000 purchase of a painting at a McDonald’s restaurant with a governmentissued credit card.

Mgijima will also be looking at R6 700 worth of groceries bought with the credit card at a supermarket in Krugersdorp, as well as almost R60 000 worth of clothing purchased in India.

Last Thursday, Mmemezi made a written submission to Mgijima to investigate him after The Star ran a series of reports detailing the alleged abuse of the state credit card.

The abuse of the credit card continued until this year.

A separate report centres on Mmemezi damaging a state vehicle while on a family trip in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in November.

Mgijima is responsible for monitoring the public conduct of office-bearers in Gauteng’s legislature, including elected officials like Mmemezi.

Yesterday, DA spokesman on local government and housing Fred Nel made a submission to Mgijima to the effect that Mmemezi had flouted the ministerial handbook, which prescribes the use of government credit cards and vehicles.

“This submission is made to ensure that the scope of the integrity commissioner’s investigation is not too narrow and (to ensure) all allegations are investigated.”

Nel, in his submission, also wants Mgijima to investigate who made payments into the credit card on behalf of Mmemezi.

The question arose after it emerged that huge payments into the card had been paid electronically from a bank account belonging to the Department of Economic Development. Nel wants to know why the deposits were made and what the department’s involvement is.

The DA also wants Mgijima to make a ruling on whether Mmemezi lied to the legislature when he said the state vehicle he crashed on November 11 had suffered only minor damage.

The Star ran a story that Mmemezi’s department had decided, subsequent to his assertion in the legislature, to sell the vehicle on auction due to damage it had suffered during the accident.

The DA wants to know whether an accident report number exists for the accident and if a claim was lodged with the insurance to repair the vehicle. The party also wants to know if the insurance company is willing to settle the claim.

“Why is the vehicle being put up for auction before it has been repaired?” Nel asks in his submission.

Mmemezi is expected to respond when he returns from a trip to the Eastern Cape at the weekend.