THE uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has called for the immediate resignation of KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, following what it described as serious and deeply troubling revelations of corruption, abuse of power, and political patronage.
The party has given both MECs until Saturday to resign, failing which it will submit a formal removal request to the Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Nontembeko Boyce.
In a statement, the MK Party expressed “deep concern and serious disappointment at the troubling revelations recently brought to light” and stated that its caucus in the provincial legislature refused to address Simelane and Hlomuka as “Honourable”, saying the title “is meant to uphold integrity, not be inherited and stained through corruption”.
The party claimed that Simelane’s family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC, allegedly received duplicated payments totaling R1.42 million from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture.
It further alleged that in 2008, her family controversially acquired a farm through a loan from Ithala Bank, then led by Zweli Mkhize, who also allegedly facilitated an R11.8 million loan for his own wife.
From 2014 to 2019, Simelane chaired the KZN Legislature’s Agriculture Portfolio Committee, overseeing the same department accused of funnelling funds to her family.
According to the party, the financial benefits continued even after her appointment as Health MEC, while public healthcare services deteriorated and hospitals reportedly ran short of medication.
The MK Party’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela said: “This is not governance. This is nothing else but a dynasty driven by corruption.”
The party also accused Hlomuka of presiding over a compromised Department of Education, citing allegations of political interference in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), tender rigging, and procurement manipulation.
A leaked list of service providers, allegedly handpicked and linked to Hlomuka, had emerged, pointing to what the party described as an unlawful network of political patronage.
The improper appointment of the Department of Education’s CFO, the party said, further revealed deep systemic rot under Hlomuka’s leadership.
Ndhlela added: “The MK Party’s caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature rightfully refused to address Sipho Hlomuka and Nomagugu Simelane as ‘Honourable’, when this title is meant to uphold integrity, not be inherited and stained through corruption.”
The MK Party has demanded the immediate suspension of what it calls a “rotten and illegal tender process” and has called for a full, independent investigation.
It is also calling on the President to issue a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the matter, and for the Auditor-General, the Public Protector, and the Hawks to urgently investigate all public funds received by Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC and any other entities linked to the implicated individuals.
“Our country is not, and will never be, a feeding trough for ANC-linked elites. The people of South Africa have suffered enough and will no longer fund political dynasties while their children starve and services collapse.
“We, the MK Party, will not stand idly by while corruption wears the mask of leadership. This is a fight for truth, dignity and the future of our people,” said Ndhlela.
When approached for comment, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health told : “Please direct your queries to the ANC. She occupies her current position through ANC deployment, not through the Department of Health.”
Attempts to obtain a response from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education spokesperson were unsuccessful, while the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson indicated that a response would be provided in due course.
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