By: Buhle Mbhele
The MK Party is demanding the immediate resignation of KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka.
This relates to accusations against Simelane’s family benefitting millions from government funding programmes in the province, and Hlomuka allegedly handpicking contractors for the National School Nutrition Programme in KZN.
It is reported that Simelane’s family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments, allegedly received duplicated payments totalling R1.42 million from the provincial Department of Agriculture.
This was for the purchase of 100 heifers and 4 bulls for the farm in Dannhauser town owned by the family, which was also allegedly purchased with funding from Ithala Bank back in 2008 and has seen a court battle ensue between the financial institution and the Simelane family.
The duplication is because a signed expenditure report from the Dannhauser Local Municipality Acting Deputy Director, Duduzile Mkhize, indicated that in 2019, Kwazi-Gugu Investments had received R1.42 million from the department.
On the other hand, Hlomuka is allegedly the main man behind the selection of service providers for the National School Nutrition Programme.
This has caused huge uncertainty for contractors across the province, resulting in a looming legal battle with the NSNP Service Providers Association.
Hlomuka’s office has, however, explained that no contracts will be terminated but fails to explain the status of the process at this stage.
The MK Party is calling for the Hawks and the Public Protector to launch urgent investigations into all public funds received by Kwazi-Gugu Investments and any other entities linked to the two MECs.
Furthermore, they want Hlomuka and Simelane to resign by this coming Saturday, or else they will take the matter to the Speaker of the legislature, Nontembeko Boyce.
At the same time, the DA has also written to SCOPA to probe the feeding scheme tender scandal.
