New claims that millions of rands were paid through a front company for well-connected Royal Bhaca Projects (RBP) – owned by Chief Madzikane ll Thandisizwe Diko, the husband of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko – kept the spotlight on corruption at the weekend.
The Sunday Independent reported that at least R80 million for personal protective equipment (PPE) was allegedly directed through Ledla Structural Development, as a front company for RBP, even though Ledla did not appear on the original list of 75 successful bidders for R2.2-billion worth of PPE contracts in Gauteng.
It is not clear whether the R80 million payment was the balance or a portion of the R125 million previously awarded to RBP.
News24 reported that Diko was not available for comment, and that Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga, refused to comment. Khusela Diko has taken leave of absence from all her roles in government, pending an investigation of possible tender irregularities.
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku was last week placed on leave pending an investigation into tender corruption at the department, and his wife, City of Johannesburg Shared Services MMC Loyiso Masuku, was asked by the ANC to step aside.
The news platform reported last week that Chief Madzikane and Loyiso Masuku were co-directors of a company, Cytozone, established in 2012.
As the Daily Friend reports today, Democratic Alliance (DA) interim leader John Steenhuisen has challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond in Parliament to the widespread Covid-19 tender corruption involving high-ranking African National Congress (ANC) officials.
The ANC’s woes are not confined to Gauteng.
It was reported yesterday that Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba’s personal messenger and ANC Youth League regional task team member Ayanda Matinise was caught by the King William’s Town police transporting alcohol in a state vehicle.
He was to appear in court today. Police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said Matinise had been charged with contravening the regulations of the Disaster Management Act, driving an unauthorised state vehicle, and attempted bribery of SAPS members.
It emerged that police had been tipped off.
Soci said: ‘Police received information about a state vehicle allegedly transporting liquor. During the police patrols, a vehicle fitting the description was spotted at Buffalo Road, but the driver accelerated when members tried to stop him.
‘Police gave chase and managed to stop him. Upon searching the vehicle, liquor was recovered in the boot. The suspect, who was alone in the vehicle, was immediately arrested and charged.’
Positive cases grew in South Africa yesterday by 8 195 to a cumulative total of 511 485 (with 347 227 recoveries). Deaths rose by 213 to 8 366.
The highest tally of cases is in Gauteng (180 532), followed by the Western Cape (96 838), KwaZulu-Natal (82 300) and the Eastern Cape (79 410).