The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has refuted claims by former Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Masuku claimed that the high court found that the SIU’s findings that he was involved in corruption and nepotism were just a malicious opinion.
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In a responding statement issued on Sunday, the SIU says: “The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has noted yet another media statement that contains some aspects that are misleading to the public.
“As these aspects of the statements relates to the SIU findings, the SIU is left with no other option but to set the record straight. If the statements are not corrected, they would have the effect of affecting the credibility of the SIU findings and to mislead the public.
“The SIU submitted evidence and successfully argued before the full bench of the High Court that Dr. Bandile Masuku failed to exercise his responsibility in the oversight of the Gauteng Department of Health and that his failure to exercise required oversight contributed to the malfeasance, maladministration, malpractice and the total disregard of the rule of law that characterised the looting of public funds meant to fight Covid-19 in the Gauteng Department of Health.”
Making reference to Masuku’s statement, the SIU further adds: “On 22 May 2021, Masuku issued a media statement in which he again claimed that the full bench of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division emphatically found that the SIU’s findings that he was involved in corruption and nepotism are devoid of merit and amounted to mere opinions. He further said that the SIU had effectively propped him as the proverbial poster boy of Covid-19 corruption.”
“The criminal investigation is still ongoing. When evidence pointing to criminality is uncovered during the criminal investigation, the SIU will refer such evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks for further action,” explains the SIU.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT- Continued flawed interpretation of the High Court judgment by Masuku shows lack of judgment and diligence. pic.twitter.com/6riMAPllNF
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) May 23, 2021
This comes after the African National Congress (ANC) national disciplinary committee overturned Masuku and Khusela Diko’s suspensions from the Gauteng provincial executive committee.
Masuku along with presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko and her spouse the late Thandisiswe have been embroiled in an R125 million scandal where it’s alleged that MEC Masuku influenced the awarding to Thandiswe’s company a Covid-19 PPE procurement contract for the Gauteng health department.
The two have been found not guilty of contravening the party’s constitution.
