Bandile Masuku
Bandile Edgar Wallace Masuku is a South African medical doctor and politician who has served as the Gauteng MEC for Health and a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature since May 2019. Masuku is a party member of the African National Congress (ANC).[1]
Bandile Masuku | |
|---|---|
 Masuku in May 2019 | |
| Gauteng MEC for Health | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2019 | |
| Premier | David Makhura |
| Preceded by | Gwen Ramokgopa |
| Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature | |
| Assumed office 22 May 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bandile Edgar Wallace Masuku Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Transvaal Province, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Loyiso |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Alberton, Gauteng |
| Profession | Politician Medical Doctor |
Life and career
Bandile Masuku was born in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto in the now-dissolved Transvaal Province. He grew up in Soweto and was expelled from school. While he was attending the Sekano-Ntoane Secondary School, Masuku became involved with youth activism. He joined the Congress of South African Students (Cosas). He had to repeat matric in 1992, after not succeeding in 1991.[2]
In 1994, he began studying at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for a BSc. He registered for a degree in medicine in 1998 and fulfilled the degree in 2004 after he had to repeat a year. He was chair of the university's SRC (Student Representative Council). He was elected to the national executive committee of the South African Students Congress in 2002.[2]
Masuku was appointed spokesperson of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in 2013.[2]
Masuku has worked at multiple hospitals, including Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Pholosong Hospital. He specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology. Prior to his appointment to the Gauteng provincial government, he served as the director of the obstetrics and gynaecology unit at the Thelle Mohoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus on the East Rand of Gauteng.[2]
Gauteng provincial government
Masuku took office as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 22 May 2019. Premier David Makhura appointed him to his cabinet on 29 May. He was sworn in on 30 May and succeeded Gwen Ramokgopa.[3][4][5]
COVID-19
On 19 July 2020, the Sunday Independent reported that between 30 March and 1 April 2020, the Gauteng Health Department awarded two contracts of up to R78 million and R47 million to Royal Bhaca Projects (RB), headed by disputed Amabhaca King Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko, to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the department.[6] Diko is married to the presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko. On 26 July, the publication alleged that the Masukus and Dikos have a close relationship.[7]
These contracts were part of R2,2 billion tenders awarded by the provincial health department since March 2020. Masuku has denied any involvement in the awarding of the tenders.[8] Diko has acknowledged that while his company has been awarded the tenders, it has not received any payment.[6] His wife, Khusela, has taken a leave of absence.[9] On 29 July, the ANC PEC resolved that Masuku and his wife should temporarily step aside while the ANC's Integrity Committee investigates the allegations.[10] Makhura announced on 30 July that he had placed Masuku on leave for the next two to four weeks, pending the investigation, and named Jacob Mamabolo as his acting successor.[11]
Personal life
Masuku is married to Loyiso, an ANC municipal councillor in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the municipality's MMC for Corporate and Shared Services.[12] They have three sons and reside in Alberton, Gauteng.[2]
References
- "Get to know Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku". The Citizen. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- Huisman, Biénne (9 July 2019). "Face to face with Dr Bandile Masuku". The Daily Maverick. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- Sicetsha, Andile (29 May 2019). "Premier David Makhura unveils Gauteng's new Cabinet". The South African. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- Lindeque, Mia (29 May 2019). "Gauteng Premier Makhura names his new Cabinet". EWN. Johannesburg. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- Mkhonza, Thembelihle (4 April 2020). "Makhura tells new Gauteng MECs to hit the ground running". IOL. Johannesburg. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- Rampedi, Piet Mahasa (19 July 2020). "Husband of presidency spokesperson's R125m PPE tender bonanza". Johannesburg. IOL. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Rampedi, Piet (26 July 2020). "Under the spotlight: The MEC's wife, Diko and a R125m PPE contract". IOL. Johannesburg. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Grobler, Riaan (27 July 2020). "Gauteng Health MEC denies involvement in PPE procurement corruption". News24. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Maphanga, Canny (27 July 2020). "President's spokesperson Khusela Diko takes leave of absence in face of PPE procurement scandal". News24. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Madia, Tshidi (30 July 2020). "JUST IN l Health MEC Bandile Masuku and wife Loyiso asked to 'step aside' amid corruption probe". News24. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Madia, Tshidi (30 July 2020). "Covid-19 tender saga: Jacob Mamabolo acting Health MEC as Bandile Masuku placed on special leave". News24. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Deklerk, Aphiwe (7 December 2019). "They gave Joburg to the ANC, and they've just been instantly rewarded". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
Loyiso Masuku will take charge of corporate and shared services. She is the wife of Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Gwen Ramokgopa |
Gauteng MEC for Health 2019– |
Succeeded by Incumbent |