DA calls on Presidency to release outcomes of Khusela Diko’s disciplinary process following apparent reinstatement 

31 August 2021

Following the reports of her reinstatement as the President’s spokesperson, the DA calls on the Presidency to release the outcomes of the disciplinary process it instituted against Khusela Diko earlier this year.

The Presidency confirmed in January that it had instituted disciplinary proceedings against Diko, following a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), after she had failed to disclose her financial interests in light of the Royal Bhaca Covid corruption scandal.

If it is true that Diko has been reinstated, it will be an indictment on President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government. It sends a clear message that the President is soft on those close to him who are implicated in serious allegations of impropriety.

This morning, News24 reports that Diko confirmed that she had been reinstated as the President’s spokesperson on a warning. In the same article, the Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, indicated that he had not yet been informed about the outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings against Diko.

The Minister’s comments raise questions around the veracity of Diko’s claims as well as transparency around the disciplinary process – if it even took place or whether it had been concluded.

It is, therefore, in the public interest, considering the serious allegations of corruption in relation to public funds that the outcomes of the disciplinary proceedings are made public.

Issued by Solly Malatsi, DA Shadow Minister for the Presidency, 31 August 2021