Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has exonerated the ANC’s chief whip Pemmy Majodina from wrongdoing in a matter involving a PPE tender awarded to her son in January last year. Despite Majodina’s son unduly benefiting because of his relationship with his mother, the public protector shifted the blame on parliament.
ANC MP Mervin Dirks reported Mojodina to Mkhwebane last month, accusing her of being disrespectful of public office and gross nepotism.
Mkhwebane released her report on Tuesday, where she blamed Parliament for the PPE tender awarded to Majodina’s son. Mkhonto Wesizwe (Majodina’s son) secured a R52, 500 tender to supply PPE thermometers to the ANC’s constituency offices. While the constituency offices receive funding from Parliament, Mkhwebane said the tender was reported to be awarded irregularly was part of an internal ANC matter.
“Our conclusion was that the affairs of the ANC do not fall within the scope of the matters to be investigated by this office as contemplated under section 182(1) of the Constitution. It follows therefore that we make no findings against Ms Majodina,” said Mkhwebane.
Mkhwebane, however, made adverse findings against parliament, accusing them of delaying implementation of control measures to regulate how political parties spend money that it allocated to them.
Source: Eyewitness News, South African Live News, image from News24: Miskeck Makora