Masuku denies Covid-19 procurement allegations
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku has dismissed allegations that he influenced the awarding of a tender to procure personal protective equipment for the fight against Covid-19.
A report in the Sunday Independent linked Masuku and his wife Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku to a R125 million tender for protective gear.
Masuku says he is not involved and cannot influence the decisions taken around procurement.
"I formally requested a forensic audit into Covid-19 procurement and Premier David Makhura subsequently requested the Special Investigative Unit to undertake this investigation.
“The SIU investigation commenced in May 2020 and the premier’s office will announce the findings
as soon as they become available. As the originator of the process, I wholly support the SIU’s investigation.”
The Sunday Independent implied that Lugayeni-Masuku and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko are close friends.
Diko's husband Thandisizwe Diko reportedly scored the R125 million contract to supply the equipment to the Gauteng Health Department.
But Masuku says the reports are without any foundation.
"If evidence of corruption is found at the Gauteng Department of Health, action will be taken, and offenders prosecuted. Those found guilty of fraud and/or the misappropriation of funds at the department, will face the full might of the law.”
He also denied suggestions that the Covid-19 procurement is linked to political fundraising.
"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.”
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