The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng Province welcomes the decision by the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) to grant MEC for Health Dr Bandile Masuku and his wife Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) Loyiso Masuku and the President’s Spokesperson Khusela Diko leave of absence. 

We also welcome the comprehensive and detailed announcement made by Premier comrade David Makhura today on the fight against corruption in the provincial government.

We strongly believe that both announcements are consistent with the most unifying and historic profound principles and resolutions of the entire revolutionary Alliance to fight corruption in organs of the democratic state. 

We also believe that these announcements will go a long way to restore maximum confidence of the working class in the revolutionary movement and the Alliance. We therefore call on the working class and the revolutionary people of our province to firmly support and rally behind the announcements made today. 

We further call on the Provincial Integrity Commission and law enforcement agencies to do their part and move swiftly and promptly on these matters.

Indeed, our Party during its 13th National Congress correctly observed that the fragmented state procurement system, and excessive outsourcing of public sector responsibilities continues to promote corruption and tenderpreneurship, and further weakens the state’s capacity to transform the economy. However, we take solace at the swift action by Premier David Makhura to enlist the services of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate all controversial tenders. We hope this action will stem the tide.

We remain resolute and are even more determined to intensify the fight against corruption and the spread of COVID-19 in our province. 

We note the responsibility entrusted on comrade Jacob Mamabolo, the SACP’s Provincial Secretary and MEC of Public Transport and Road Infrastructure, as acting MEC of Health. We wish him well and we are confident that he will execute this task to the best of his ability and in the most ethical manner.

Issued by the SACP Gauteng Province