DA to picket outside ANC Gauteng Chief Whip’s house

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says it will picket on Monday outside what it calls the “Gauteng Nkandla”, the multi million rand home of African National Congress Gauteng Chief Whip Brian Hlongwa, in Bryanston north of Johannesburg.

The house, which was bought for R7 million, was allegedly acquired with the financial assistance of companies and individuals who benefited from corrupt activities with the Gauteng Health Department, when Hlongwa was still MEC between 2006 and 2009.

Last week, Hlongwa survived a motion by the Economic Freedom Fighters and DA in the legislature for him to step down.

“According to evidence by the Special Investigating Unit, part of the money he had to buy (the house with) was obtained from corrupt means, people who had contracts with the Gauteng Health Department when he was Gauteng Health MEC and we want to highlight the fact that this has not gone to court yet. There’s been an inordinate delay, and we really think there has been some political interference in this delay,” says DA Shadow Minister for Health Jack Bloom.