The awarding of a personal protective equipment (PPE) contract to the son of ANC parliamentary chief whip Pemmy Majodina has been referred to the Hawks by the acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka.
This after the public protector’s office probed the awarding of a personal protective equipment (PPE) contract to Majodina’s son, Thandolwethu Mkhonto we-Sizwe Majodina.
In her findings, Gcaleka ordered Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, to take appropriate steps within 190 days to pass the regulations concerning the allocation and use of any funds provided by Parliament to political parties or Members of Parliament, as envisaged in the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (MFPPLA).
The complaint was launched by ANC MP Mervin Derks on 26 April 2021.
Derks claimed that the ANC constituency awarded a PPE tender to supply thermometers worth R52,500 to a company owned by Majodina’s son Thandolwethu Mkhonti we-Sizer Majodina.
He alleged that the ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina created a Graphic Design position in her office and hired her son without following all the proper procedures.
Derks said the process was gross nepotism and disrespect to the public funds by Majodina, who allegedly abused constituency funds by renting cars despite receiving monthly car allowances.
Gcaleka said the office of the ANC caucus in Parliament received R286.5 million in 2020/2 to assist MPs conducting active oversight over the executive and its departments and constituency work.
She said Derks argued that Majodina has misused political party allowances to benefit her family. However, the public protector said she could not make findings against Majodina.
She said: “The affairs of the ANC do not fall within the scope of matters to be investigated by the public protector as contemplated in the Constitution.”
However, South Africans do not believe anything will happen to Majodina’s son because state institutions are corrupt.
Source: The Star, News24, Briefly, image from Twitter: @ParliamentofRSA