Presidential ties: Diko's husband allegedly scores R125m Covid-19 deal

-A report claims that Khusela Diko's husband was awarded a R125 million contract to supply personal protective equipment to the government

- Diko currently serves as President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson and a member of the Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee

- The province handed her husband two contracts worth R47 million R78 million

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

A report has alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko and her husband have benefited from the government's multibillion-rand effort to supply Covid-19 personal protective equipment.

Diko's husband, Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko's company Royal Bhaca Projects was handed R125 million in contracts by the Gauteng Department of Health, according to the Sunday Independent.

Royal Bhaca secured two contracts to the tune of R47 million and R78 million to supply and deliver PPE to the department.

Diko also serves as a member of the Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee. The contracts were part of the R2.2 billion in PPE tenders handed out by the Gauteng Health Department just days after Ramaphosa announced the lockdown.

READ ALSO: Inquiry into Covid-19 corruption: Ramaphosa's R500 billion looted

Diko himself has reportedly denied any wrongdoing, saying that while a commitment letter was received for an amount of R78 million the government would eventually cancel:

“A commitment letter of R78 million not R139 million was received. The Department cancelled the commitment letter at my request after realising that there could be a perception of a potential conflict of interest as you now allege.”

Nevertheless, the report insists that not only did Diko get paid, but also that he dramatically inflated the costs of the critical goods.

Meanwhile, Briefly.co.za reported earlier that allegations of corruption relating to the R500 billion fund Ramaphosa announced to combat the pandemic were currently being investigated.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the Gauteng Department of Health under investigation for alleged Covid-19 relief fund irregularities:

“We are investigating the issue of the purchasing of PPEs in the Gauteng Department of Health and, obviously, for the protection of the people that have put the allegations to us we are unable to indicate who are the people who have been complaining about it. In other instances, you find that the issue comes up, like the issue of the Gauteng IT tender, it was the Office of the Premier that asked us to come."

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News