Premier Makhura must act on Hlongwa corruption report

21 June 2018

Premier David Makhura should act on the latest report which details unbridled corruption that totals R 1.2 billion when Brian Hlongwa was MEC for the Health Department from 2006 until 2009.

The shocking details are in a report of the Special Investigating Unit dated 29th March 2017 that was handed to President Jacob Zuma but not acted upon.

References are made in the report to an alleged corrupt relationship between Hlongwa, various officials and companies implicated in corrupt activities. It also includes details of money given to Hlongwa to help him buy a R 7.2 million house in Bryanston.

The report says that Hlongwa failed to declare benefits to the Gauteng Legislature as is required by the Executive Member’s Ethics Act.

I have frequently challenged Premier Makhura, who is also deputy chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng, to act against Hlongwa, currently ANC Chief Whip in the Gauteng Legislature, if he is serious about cracking down on corruption.

I suspect that Hlongwa has received political protection as the case against him has not yet reached court 8 years after the SIU commenced investigation.

I hope that this case goes to court as soon as possible as the Gauteng Health Department has yet to recover from the disastrous period under Hlongwa.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 21 June 2018