Soundbite by Luyolo Mphithi MP
Last year, I laid a Public Protector complaint against now suspended National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) CEO, Azola Mayekiso, following numerous complaints including:
- An irregular lease agreement of R15m,
- The appointment of unqualified board members,
- Misuse of the Company’s credit card,
- Failure to disclose conflicts of interests in important business deals.
In June, the Public Protector confirmed an investigation has begun, and today, the Company’s staff were informed of the CEO’s precautionary suspension, as a result of this probe.
While millions of South Africans live without the dignity of housing, it is appalling that state officials use government resources as feeding troughs.
As an entity reporting to her, the DA calls on Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, to address this reckless misuse of public resources. This is as her Department, allocated R32bn annually, is woefully behind its targets of building state-subsidy and affording housing. The buck stops with her, and should the entity continue to destabilise, the buck will stop with her.
The DA will maintain a close watch on this matter.