By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Dr Sifiso Maseko, Secretary- General of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has resigned from his position, citing his current employment conditions as a reason for his decision.
Maseko was appointed secretary-general to replace Arthur Zwane. He held the position for four months.
He explained that he’s stepping down to return to his full-time position as chief director of infrastructure at the Gauteng Department of Health.
He was suspended two years ago following a Special Investigating Unit probe into irregularities in the procurement of PPE during the height of COVID-19.
The probe was related to the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment project on the West Rand.
The project’s cost ballooned to over R500 million, far exceeding the initial R50 million budget.
Although disciplinary charges were brought against him and others, Maseko’s suspension has since been lifted, pending the outcome of a disciplinary committee investigation.
Another letter from the department to Maseko, and signed by the HOD of Health in Gauteng, Lesiba Malotana, confirmed that he had been reinstated to his duties.
He said his resignation was effective from Monday.
“This is to allow the leadership and the President to communicate effectively with members and to identify a suitable replacement to take over the work of the office I hold.
“I remain a member of the MK Party and commit to serving in any capacity deemed necessary by the party, including retaining my role as a member of the National High Command,” he added.
Meanwhile expelled MK Party MPs have approached the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg with an urgent application to suspend the party’s bank accounts, pending the filing of a compensation claim they intend to pursue.
Additionally, they are asking for the freezing of party president Jacob Zuma’s personal bank account, claiming that some of their earnings were transferred into it.
The 10 former MKP members were fired in August without any clear explanation. Initially, the party had fired 18 of them and only 10 challenged their expulsion.
The party has also received a backlash from the Independent Electoral Commission(IEC) over its third election fraud case, describing it as meritless, saying its ‘expert’ is unqualified and biased.