Kwazulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he will not hesitate to take drastic measures, including reshuffling his cabinet, should he find reliable evidence against his two MECs, Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka, who are accused of misconduct.  

Simelane, who is in charge of Health, and Education’s Hlomuka have been in the news headlines over the past weeks for the wrong reasons.  

They both submitted comprehensive representations to give their side of the story on the allegations to the premier on Friday. 

Talking to the media during the opening of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal, immediately after receiving presentations, Ntuli said his office was still studying the MECs’ submissions and will apprise the public at a later stage. 

His spokesperson, Bongani Gina, said the reports were with the provincial government’s legal unit. 

Hlomuka was alleged to have interfered in the awarding of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender, while among the allegations was that Simelane abused her position of power while she was the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee chairperson to assist her family’s farming business in obtaining a loan from the provincial government-owned Ithala Bank.

Both MECs, who are ANC leaders, denied the allegations.

Ntuli said the action he would take would be determined by the outcome his office’s investigation. 

“For now, it would be quite early to cross the bridge before I reach it,” he said.

When asked if the reshuffle of his cabinet was imminent, he said he would not hesitate to do so if the report of the investigation suggests so.  

He said, for now, he did not see the dark cloud hanging over the MECs’ heads, as these were allegations. 

“It is important that we test the allegations and satisfy ourselves that indeed there is a reason to take a particular action.

“Hence, for now, I am happy that they responded, and I am happy that we are busy considering the reports, and we will inform the public of the discovery from the report. 

“But for now, I cannot say that there is any reason for me to take action against any MEC,” Ntuli said. 

In his press statement issued on Wednesday, Hlomuka said the NSNP tender was awarded following due process, which involved advertising and accepting bidding applications. 

Media reports alleged that Hlomuka interfered with the tender processes to benefit his allies in the ANC, and it was also alleged that a company linked to him and registered in 2015 benefited from his department’s tender.

He said approximately 20,000 bidders received the same comprehensive evaluation criteria in line with all the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.

“All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. 

“It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,” he said.

He said the department was currently dealing with appeals from bidders who were unhappy about the issuing of the school nutrition tender. 

“An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 districts. 

“We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimising the entire process.

“The department, however, takes solace from the understanding that the current stage, which is the appeals process, bidders will be afforded an opportunity to raise issues,” he said. 

Simelane described the allegations against her as a misinformation campaign against her and her family. 

She said the family farm received a loan from Ithala in 2008, eight years before she became the portfolio committee chairperson in June 2016.

“In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. 

“I had no decision-making influence or impact on loan approvals within Ithala Bank.

“Additionally, I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,” she said.

Simelane was also accused of having influenced the termination of anti-illegal immigrants activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma by Vuma FM, where he was a presenter. 

Ngobese-Zuma’s March and March movement has embarked on a campaign to block illegal foreigners from receiving medical treatment at public health institutions. 

Simelane denied having influenced the radio station, which she said confirmed that the Ngobese-Zuma contract had expired.

However, she insisted that under her watch, not one, irrespective of their nationality, would be barred from the public healthcare. 

“My duty as MEC is not to discriminate against those in need, or to choose who should be allowed healthcare – it is to uphold the Constitution.

“I agree that illegal immigration is a problem in our country, but we cannot turn away human beings in need of medical treatment, [and] I will always fight for a healthcare system that is just, fair, and accessible. 

“And while peaceful protest is allowed, blocking access to hospitals is not,” said Simelane.

bongani.hans@inl.co.za

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