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The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
MK Party demands resignation of KZN MECs, slams 'Dynasty Driven by Corruption'
Hope Ntanzi | Published 1 day ago 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 describes as serious and deeply troubling revelations of corruption, abuse of power, and political patronage. The party has given both MECs until July 26, 2025, 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 refuses to address Simelane and Hlomuka as "Honourable", saying the title "is meant to uphold integrity, not be inherited and stained through corruption". The party claims 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, these financial benefits continued even after her appointment as Health MEC, while public healthcare services deteriorated and hospitals reportedly ran short of medication. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said: 'This is not governance. This is nothing else but a dynasty driven by corruption.' The party also accuses 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, has emerged, pointing to what the party describes as an unlawful network of political patronage. The improper appointment of the Department of Education's CFO, the party says, further reveals deep systemic rot under Hlomuka's leadership. Ndhlela added: 'The MK Party's caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature rightfully refuse 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 is demanding 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 IOL: '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. The ANC's response will be included once it has been received. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane threatens legal action over 'false and malicious' corruption claims linked to family business
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says allegations of influencing funding for a family-linked company are false, politically motivated, and based on distorted facts aimed at damaging her reputation. KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has denied allegations that she used her political position to influence funding for a company linked to her family, describing the claims 'false and malicious.' This follows a call by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) for Simelane's immediate resignation, citing alleged corruption and political patronage. The party claims that her family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC, received duplicated payments totaling R1.42 million from the provincial Agriculture Department, and linked her to a controversial farm loan granted in 2008 by Ithala Bank. The party also alleged that financial benefits to her family continued during her tenure as Health MEC, even as healthcare services reportedly declined. In a statement, the MK Party said it viewed the matter with 'deep concern and serious disappointment at the troubling revelations recently brought to light.' Simelane issued a statement to set the record straight. 'The company in question was established in 1996 by my parents, and I resigned from it in 2004. I have no business interests in it. I have never benefited from any of its dealings.' She explained that the company received financial support from a state-owned development finance institution years before she held any position of authority. 'Furthermore, the company in question received a loan from Ithala Bank in 2008. At that time, I was a junior official in Government, with no authority or influence over Ithala or any funding decisions.'
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'A dynasty driven by corruption', the MK Party demands resignation of KZN MECs
The MK Party calls for KZN MECs Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka to resign, citing serious corruption allegations, misuse of public funds, and political patronage undermining healthcare and education services in the province. 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.
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
MK Party demands resignation of KZN MECs, slams 'Dynasty Driven by Corruption'
The MK Party calls for KZN MECs Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka to resign, citing serious corruption allegations, misuse of public funds, and political patronage undermining healthcare and education services in the province. Image: File 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 describes as serious and deeply troubling revelations of corruption, abuse of power, and political patronage. The party has given both MECs until July 26, 2025, 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 refuses to address Simelane and Hlomuka as "Honourable", saying the title "is meant to uphold integrity, not be inherited and stained through corruption". The party claims 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, these financial benefits continued even after her appointment as Health MEC, while public healthcare services deteriorated and hospitals reportedly ran short of medication. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said: 'This is not governance. This is nothing else but a dynasty driven by corruption.' The party also accuses 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, has emerged, pointing to what the party describes as an unlawful network of political patronage. The improper appointment of the Department of Education's CFO, the party says, further reveals deep systemic rot under Hlomuka's leadership. Ndhlela added: 'The MK Party's caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature rightfully refuse 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 is demanding the immediate suspension of what it calls a "rotten and illegal tender process" and has called for a full, independent investigation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 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 IOL: '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. The ANC's response will be included once it has been received. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
