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The Presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, has taken a leave of absence pending investigations into allegations “involving her and her husband in tender irregularities in the Gauteng Department of Health.”
In a brief statement, the Presidency said that her request for a leave of absence was accepted by the Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Tyrone Seal has been appointed as the acting Presidential spokesperson.
Diko’s departure on Monday comes amid a Sunday Independent report that her husband, Amabhaca King Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko’s company had been awarded a PPE tender of R125m by the Gauteng Health Department just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown.
Gauteng Health MEC, Bandile Masuku, and his wife Loyiso have also been drawn into the looming controversy by the publication.
Democratic Alliance MP, Siviwe Gwarube, said she would be writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to make the case that all Covid-19 service contracts that were awarded by the Gauteng Department of Health be included in the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) proclamation he announced last week.
“Over and above the controversial R124 million personal protective equipment (PPE) tender that was awarded to Royal Bhaca Projects, a company with deep connections within the ANC, there are many other companies and organizations which have inappropriately and illegally gained millions from this crisis which must be investigated,” she said.
The Civic Organisation, Sanco, also called for a probe into the Covid19 tender issue.
