Khusela Diko, the spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, has taken a leave of absence in the wake of corruption allegations involving her husband.
In a statement issued on Monday, Minister Jackson Mthembu said that Diko had made the formal request to temporarily relinquish all her roles. Diko stated that she made the request so that the work of the presidency and government is not undermind due to these allegations.
Royal Bhaca Projects, the company owned by Diko’s husband Amabaca King Madzikazi II Thandisizwe, allegedly received a tender worth R125-million to supply PPE to the Gauteng department of health.
Reports by the Sunday Independent, revealed that Diko was a close friend of the wife of MEC Bandile Masuku. Masuku’s department awarded the tender, which is being highlighted as an obvious conflict of interest.
The Minister in the Presidency, accepted her request for leave of absence pending further investigations into the allegations. Mr Tyrone Seale has been appointed to temporarily act as President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.
