Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle has failed to appear before the ANC’ Special Provincial Executive Committee meeting held in King William’s Town to discuss the report of the Public Protector.
Masualle and four mayors of the affected municipalities were summoned to appear before this committee to account to the Public Protector’s report .
The damning findings by Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane say the provincial government has misappropriated R300 million during preparations for former President Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December 2013.
However, the four mayors attended the meeting while Masualle did not pitch up as he is still consulting his legal team on the report .
The provincial leadership is gravely concerned about the report of the Public Protector and want action taken against all implicated people.
It wanted Premier Phumulo Masualle to brief them about what the provincial government is going to do with the report.
The Public Protector found R250 thousand was deposited in Masualle’s bank account during preparations for Mandela”s funeral in 2013, but the transaction was later reversed.
Mkhwebane found that Masulle has done nothing wrong as the money that was deposited was not of his own doing.
However, Masualle did not show up for the meeting .
ANC Provincial Secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi says they have accepted the premier’s apology.
“We highlighted last that the premier and the four mayors and the premier could not be with us and he is still meeting with his lawyers in so far as the matter is concerned and of course, we agreed that he must make all amends with regard to this matter.”
Ngcukayitobi also says that they want the Eastern Cape Legislature to establish an ad-hoc committee to scrutinise the Public Protector’s report .
PEC member Stella Ndabeni has appealed to the provincial government to take seriously corruption activities in the provincial government.
“We are concerned about the these fraud and corruption cases against the provincial government and we would like to see action taken and the must show seriousness against corruption.”
The provincial leadership says it will set another date for the premier to appear before the PEC .
