By: Bright Ntuli
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he has taken note of the serious allegations levelled against Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, both of whom are facing calls to step down amid claims of misconduct.
Simelane’s family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments, allegedly received duplicated payments totalling R1.42 million from the provincial Department of Agriculture. The funds were reportedly meant for livestock procurement, but concerns have been raised over possible double payments linked to a farm in Dannhauser owned by the Simelane family.
Hlomuka, meanwhile, is accused of manipulating procurement processes by allegedly handpicking service providers for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The controversy has sparked uncertainty among contractors and triggered threats of legal action from the NSNP Service Providers Association.
Premier Ntuli’s spokesperson, Lindelani Mbatha, confirmed that the allegations are being taken seriously and will be investigated.
The MK Party has called for both MECs to resign immediately and for the Hawks and the Public Protector to launch parallel investigations. The Democratic Alliance has also written to SCOPA requesting a formal probe into the NSNP tender process.
