Johannesburg – Cosatu is calling on Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku to “step aside” until allegations of tender irregularities linked to his department finalised.
Cosatu’s call comes as presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko announced that she was taking leave of absence.
Diko announced on Monday that she was taking leave of absence following allegations that her husband, amaBhaca King Madzikane II Thandisizwe, benefited from a Gauteng government tender worth R125 million to provide personal protective equipment.
He insists that the contract was cancelled and that he never received a cent.
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has also been drawn into the matter. But Masuku has denied any wrongdoing, saying that as an executive member he was not involved in the Health Department’s procurement process.
Masuku has denied any wrongdoing, saying that as an executive council member he was not involved in the Health Department’s procurement process.
In a statement, he said that he had always acted with integrity and conviction and denied any suggestion that the Covid-19 procurement process was being used to raise funds for the African National Congress (ANC) conference.
“Throughout my career, I have always acted with utmost integrity and conviction. I strongly refute any suggestion that COVID-19 procurement is being used as a means to raise funds ahead of ANC conferences,” Masuku said.
