Eastern Cape premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has instructed his legal representatives to take the report by the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane on review and to take remedial action, following an investigation into allegations of corruption, maladministration, or misuse of public funds by senior government officials from the Mbizana Local Municipality and Provincial Government Departments.
The Public Protector has found that R1.1 million, meant for a memorial service for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was irregularly deposited into Mthombeni Project LTD and misappropriated to improperly benefit Mabuyane and others.
She says the Premier benefitted R450 000 from the R1.1 million that was meant for Madikizela-Mandela's memorial service and found that the money had been deposited into a company bank account belonging to the Premier's wife.
The Public Protector also found that the current MEC for public works in the Eastern Cape Babalo Madikizela improperly benefitted from the funds as well, he got at least R350 000.
She further ruled that the ANC in the Eastern Cape benefitted as well, with R280 000 of the money going into the party's funding account.
Mkhwebane says the matter has been reported to the Hawks and is under investigation.
The premier's spokesperson, Sonwabo Mbananga says Mabuyane maintains his public statement issued on the matter in 2019 and maintains his position that he was never involved in any acts of fraud or corruption.
As a result, he has instructed his legal representatives to take the report on judicial review because it ignored substantial information that sought to respond to the allegations leveled against him.
The Premier has further instructed his legal counsel to urgently interdict the implementation of the remedial actions.
"Premier Mabuyane remains unwavering in his commitment to fighting corruption and maladministration and remains focused on serving the people of the Eastern Cape", Mbananga said.
