POLITICS

Why has report into Paul Mashatile’s son in-law been delayed – DA Gauteng

DA MP says disclosure is critical and will prevent further speculation on the nature of the loan

DA demands answers why the report into Paul Mashatile’s son in-law’s dealings with GPF has been delayed

10 October 2023

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands answers from the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Lebogang Maile, as to why there have been delays in releasing the report into Paul Mashatile’s son in -law’s dealings with the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF).

It is alleged that the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) is experiencing delays in completing the investigation into Nonkwelo Investments.

This is even though the DA was reliably informed that the report was completed last month. The latest development in this saga is a clear indication that the MEC Maile is preventing the facts from being disclosed.

This investigation and the disclosure of the subsequent report are critical and will prevent further speculation on the nature of the loan granted to Nonkwelo Investments by the GPF.

The loans were granted during the time that the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, was the MEC for Human Settlements in the province. It is alleged that Nonkwelo Investments benefitted from loans from the GPF between 2013 and 2017, totalling at least R30 million.

The DA reiterates its call on MEC Maile to immediately make the report public, take the public into his confidence, and provide compelling reasons as to why the report is being withheld.

Should it be found in this report that Nonkwelo Investments unduly benefited from the loans granted by the GPF, this money must be recovered.

In addition, any officials implicated in awarding these loans must be investigated, and should it be found that there was a breach of any processes, disciplinary action and, where applicable, criminal charges must follow.

The DA will continue to pressure MEC Maile to ensure that the report is urgently released and that those implicated in dishonest practices are held to account.

Issued by Mervyn Cirota, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Human Settlements, 10 October 2023