PPE scandal: ANC Gauteng to reveal Masuku and Diko’s fate

The African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in Gauteng is expected to give an update on the outcomes of its special meeting over a controversial multi-million rand tender linked to Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko and Health MEC Bandile Masuku.

Both Diko and Masuku, who are members of the party in the province, have found themselves at the center of a storm with the awarding of a contract to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) linked to Diko’s husband, Amabhaca King, Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko.

A report by the Sunday Independent revealed that Diko’s company, Royal Bhaca Projects, was awarded R125 million in tenders by the Gauteng Department of Health in March 2020, when the country was officially placed under lockdown.

While Diko and her husband have admitted to receiving the contract, they maintain no money was received from the tender.

“Over the last week, as individuals, a couple and a family, we have found ourselves at the centre of a media and public storm over a Gauteng health department PPE supply contract that was awarded to Royal Bhaca Projects and subsequently cancelled”, she said in a statement.

In the wake of the backlash, the presidency spokesperson opted to take a leave of absence while the extent of the allegations are being discussed.

“Despite the absence of any illegality and confirmation that no public funds were ever paid to Royal Bhaca Projects — details of which will be further ventilated by the investigations — the matter continues to draw outrage from across society.”

Where does Bandile Masuku enter the picture?

The Dikos are friends with Masuku and his wife, Loyiso Lugayeni-Masuku, who’s a member of the mayoral committee in the City of Johannesburg.

But the Sunday Independent has questioned the extent of the relationship, citing ‘sources’ who claim Masuku influenced the awarding of the tender to Diko’s husband, as part of a plan to secure a position for his wife.

Lugayeni-Masuku, currently the Johannesburg ANC deputy secretary, is reportedly expected to contest for the position of chairperson and that the tender was essentially a fundraising strategy ahead of the conference.

“I see some people say there’s also an element of money laundering through PPEs, especially with the ANC GP conference coming up. Allegations are Loyiso Lugayeni- Masuku wants to be the next Chair and Mayor of Johannesburg, and she’s friends with Khusela.

So they saw an opportunity to raise money to buy votes for the upcoming conference through these dodgy deals. MEC for Health is Loyiso’s husband, and they all are friends with the Dikos”, one is quoted as saying in the article.