Confronted by a push from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for action and renewed charges of her alleged involvement in fraud with the money set aside for the late president Nelson Mandela’s funeral, a worried-looking Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane fired his Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba on Thursday morning.
He said he did so to allow Gomba time to prepare for the criminal case brought against her relating to the Mandela funeral funds.
Mabuyane said the SIU had recommended that he take action against Gomba and the former head of the Department of Health, Dr Thobile Mbengashe for their part in the R10-million scandal-riddled procurement of medical scooters for the province.
Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba will continue in her job until she is fired by Premier Oscar Mabuyane, her spokesperson Judy Ngoloyi said on Monday.
“The MEC, as a cadre and a deployee of the ANC, will rely on the decision by the ANC and through the premier in this case,” Ngoloyi said after being asked if the MEC plans to step down from her position “This matter is being handled by the ANC in the province and by the Office of the Premier and therefore the MEC is not able to comment,” she said.
Ngoloyi said the MEC considered the charges against her as well as the evidence before a Special Tribunal with regard to the medical scooters as
Prominent EC politicians appear in court for fraud and corruption! Sandiso Phaliso
Comments ANC in the Eastern Cape to decide on MEC of Health Sindiswa Gomba s future. Photo by Luvuyo Mehlwana .
EASTERN Cape health MEC Sindiswa Gomba and 11 other accused were released on bail after briefly appearing on charges of corruption, money laundering, fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act linked to the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) Nelson Mandela Funeral scandal.
Gomba, Phumzile Mkolo, Zukiswa Veronica Ncitha, Themba Tinta, Luleka Simon-Ndzele, Tembelani Prideaux Sali, Ondela Vatile Mahlangu, Viwe Vazi, Zintle Nkuhlu (a trustee of the Lilly Rose Trust), Nosiphiwo Mati and Nqaba Ludidi were granted bail at the East London Regional Court.
Here are the ANC bigwigs accused of scamming Buffalo City Siyanda Ndlovu
Sindiswa Gomba. Picture: Twitter/@healthmec The suspects, accused of defrauding the city during Nelson Mandela’s funeral arrangements, were granted R1000 bail each and will appear again in court on 5 March 2021.
On Friday, the Hawks announced the arrest of Buffalo City officials, prominent political party members, businessmen and entities who defrauded the municipality a sum of up to R10 million in the procurement of transportation and booking of venues during Mandela’s memorial service and funeral preparations.
All accused appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud, money laundering, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Twelve people on Friday appeared in court in connection with corruption linked to Nelson Mandela s memorial service, including Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindisiwe Gomba.