MECs mustn't support those in court - DA
2011-08-11 16:24
Johannesburg - The KwaZulu-Natal legislature must insist that MECs not show support for two of their colleagues in court for alleged racketeering, fraud and money laundering.
"If an individual wishes to go to court to support personal friends, well and good, but MECs are not just any individuals," Democratic Alliance (DA) MMP Mark Steele said in a statement.
Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and provincial legislature Speaker Peggy Nkonyeni appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court last week with former provincial health department head Professor Ronald Green-Thompson.
Nkonyeni and Mabuyakhulu were granted bail of R100 000 each. Green-Thompson was released on R40 000 bail.
"The court appearance... presented ANC public representatives with yet another opportunity to demonstrate that they understand the difference between the party and the state," said Steele.
He claimed some provincial MECs had used state cars and bodyguards to attend the court proceedings last week.
The appearance of MECs at the court could put "emotional pressure" on all involved in the case, he said.
"I move on behalf of the DA that this house insists that members of our provincial government clearly separate their official from their political functions."
The charges against Mabuyakhulu, Nkonyeni, and Green-Thompson relate to the awarding of multi-million rand tenders to South American businessman Gaston Savoi's company Intaka to supply water purification plants and oxygen generating units to provincial hospitals.
- SAPA
