Khusela Diko granted extension to respond to SIU over PPE probe

Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko has been allowed more time to respond to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) as it continues looking into personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption.

This was revealed by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Thembi Siweya on Thursday, 18 March 2021, during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.

Diko took a leave of absence in July 2020, pending the SIU’s investigation into a R125 million contract awarded to her now late husband, Thandisizwe Diko’s company Royal Bhaca Projects. The Gauteng Health Department issued the tender 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.

Thandisizwe Diko’s death delays PPE corruption probe

Khusela Diko’s husband, Thandisizwe, however died from a short illness in February. It was in that respect that they gave her until 25 March 2021, to officially respond.

“Ms Diko was further requested to respond to the allegations contained in the SIU’s letter by the 24th of February 2021. However, chair, once the internal process was underway, Ms Diko’s husband unexpectedly passed away which prompted her legal representatives to ask for an extension to provide her formal responses to the allegations contained in the SIU letter,” Siweya said.

“The presidency deemed it appropriate to grant Ms Diko an extension until March 25 2021 so that she can respond to the allegations”

Siweya has also promised to return to the Parliament to provide an update on the matter.

“We want to assure the House and South Africans that we are doing everything in the presidency to ensure that the matter is resolved,” she said.

However some MPs were not pleased with some of the deputy minister’s responses, expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which government has handled the saga surrounding the Dikos.

Also implicated in the scandal was former Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku, who was then axed from his post by Premier David Makhura. An SIU report placed Masuku at the centre of the PPE corruption scandal in the province and found that he failed to adequately preside over the awarding of contracts and prevent graft.

Masuku is currently challenging the contents of the SIU report, which were used to axe him from his post.