Feathers are set to fly within KZN’s Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Department following a promise by its beleaguered MEC, Siboniso Duma, that there will be an investigation after reams of documents were leaked to the DA.
Handed to the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) some two weeks ago, the documents allege widespread maladministration, politically-motivated appointments and potential corruption within the department and several of its entities.
Rather than attempt to investigate alleged irregularities, MEC Duma has lamented the “weaponization” of leaked documents. This, during a recent EDTEA portfolio committee – almost three weeks after the leaks began – into what now appears to be a spiralling crisis within the province’s so-called job creation department.
While an in-committee meeting is expected soon – MEC Duma has also confirmed DA pronouncements that the South African Music Awards (SAMA) budget would be reallocated to KZN’s Education and Health portfolios. We welcome this – it confirms our initial sentiment that lavish dinners cannot take preference over the basic needs of our province’s people.
Meanwhile, allegations over the abuse of Operation Vula funds remain of great concern – with MEC Duma confirming that the Auditor General (AG) was “not happy” with the fund’s operations. The DA will continue to probe Operation Vula, and insist the business vouchers and equipment made available are used sustainably and without political interference.
EDTEA has for years stumbled from one MEC to the next while unemployment in our province remains unacceptably high despite billions being pumped into a myriad of programmes.
The DA thanks those whistleblowers who continue to feed information to authorities in a last-ditch attempt to rescue KZN from the Taliban faction ANC government.