THE Gauteng health department’s head has been suspended while MEC Bandile Masuku is still on special leave.
Premier David Makhura suspended Mkhululi Lukhele today. He was placed under precautionary suspension with immediate effect.
According to Gauteng provincial spokesman Thabo Masebe, Makhura acted on the recommendations of the Special Investigating Unit following the update report presented to him on 22 September.
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The unit found Lukhele failed to exercise his responsibility in the awarding of contracts to certain companies for the procurement of goods and services in relation to the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It found the actions, or his omission may have resulted in the department incurring fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Masebe said Lukhele would remain on precautionary suspension pending the completion of the investigations by the investigating unit and disciplinary proceedings for misconduct.
Meanwhile Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo is acting as health MEC while Masuku is on leave regarding the awarding of PPE tenders in the department. Masuku’s wife Loyiso Masuku and presidential spokeswoman Khusela Diko are also on leave over the Gauteng PPE tender scandal.
