ANC fires second MEC for graft

Yesterday, when the Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane fired his health MEC Sindiswa Gomba over the alleged Nelson Mandela memorial service corruption – she became the second MEC to be dismissed for graft allegations after her Gauteng counterpart Bandile Masuku was booted out.

Gomba and 14 others, including former mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) Phumlani Mkolo and former city speaker, Luleka Simon-Nzele, were arrested in connection with R10 million corruption that happened under the pretext of conducting a memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

Others linked to the graft were municipal officials and business people.

Mabuyane also announced during a briefing that former health department superintendent-general Dr Thobile Mbengashe would be subjected to disciplinary action over the procurement of the controversial motorbike cart ambulances.

Mbengashe serves as advisor to Mabuyane after he was moved from health during the investigation into the scooter procurement saga.

Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Xolile Nqatha will act as health MEC until a replacement is announced.

Mabuyane said in the light of the report and recommendations of the Special Investigating Unit, Gomba was being relieved of her duties with immediate effect.

However, she would remain as a member of the Eastern Cape Legislature. He said she was removed to give her time and space to concentrate on the charges against her.

Despite charges they face, the ANC deployed Gomba, Ncitha and other former Buffalo City councillors to the legislature and parliament. Mkolo remains MMC in the cash-strapped municipality.

Asked why he only took the action after the SIU report when the case was seven years old, Mabuyane said there was an ongoing assessment of all MECs in terms of their performance agreement between them and the premier.

In addition, an investigation was done by the ANC integrity commission and it found nothing untoward about the MEC to warrant her removal.

The action was taken “in the best interest of the province and the Eastern Cape people” and was part of ensuring that people accounted for their actions, he said.

But other ANC members – including former president Jacob Zuma, party secretary-general Ace Magashule and former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede – are still walking free despite graft charges they face in the courts.