The probe into allegations of fraud and corruption against KwaZulu-Natal health and education MECs Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka is gaining momentum after the two officials submitted responses to the premier's office.
Premier Thami Ntuli confirmed on Friday he received submissions from the MECs which will form part of the internal review process against them. This comes after allegations implicating them in the misuse of public funds and using their positions in government for self-enrichment.
These submissions were requested as part of an internal process aimed at addressing serious matters raised against both members of the executive council. The deadline for these representations was set for Monday, following an earlier notification issued last week, said premiers spokesperson Bongani Gina.
Simelane is accused of influencing funding to a company linked to her family, Kwazi-Gugu Investments, which allegedly received a controversial loan from Ithala Bank and duplicate payments totalling R1.42m made to the familys business by the department of agriculture. This was said to be during her tenure as chair of the agriculture and rural development portfolio committee in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
She is also alleged to have interfered with media freedom by pressing for the dismissal of a radio presenter critical of undocumented migrants accessing state health care.