The Public Protector is going ahead with an investigation into reported allegations of abuse of taxpayer’s money against Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka.
“The complaint was lodged under the Executive Members’ Ethics Act 82 of 1998, which stipulates that the Public Protector must investigate so she is going ahead with the investigation,” spokesperson for the protector, Kgalalelo Masibi, said on Tuesday.
Last week ANC MP Ben Turok referred the request to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s office following a report in the Sunday Times that Shiceka allegedly spent R355 000 on a visit to a girlfriend serving time in a Swiss jail for drugs, R640 000 over one year to stay in a luxury hotel in Cape Town, and more than R160 000 to fly family around the country over eight months.
Shiceka has been off work ill and President Jacob Zuma, who appointed him, said he wanted to hear Shiceka’s side of the story.
No hesitation
The Star reported on Tuesday that in an exclusive interview, Zuma said there would be “no hesitation if these things that are being said are true”.
With local government elections less than a month away, and service delivery protests almost every week, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa is currently standing in for him.
When asked whether the ruling ANC was considering recalling Shiceka, ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said that was a matter for Zuma to deal with, as head of the Cabinet.
“The minister has been appointed by the president so we will not act outside the president,” said Mthembu.
He said the party had not discussed the Shiceka matter.
Comment from Zizi Kodwa, spokesperson for the presidency, was not immediately available, nor was comment from Shiceka’s spokesperson.
Details on Shiceka’s health were also not available. — Sapa