I have today referred the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Ms Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, to the Public Protector for her apparent breach of the Executive Members Ethics Act. This follows recent events where she wore ANC party colours while carrying out official, taxpayer-funded duties (see letter here).
On Monday this week (19 January), the MEC and the Gauteng Department of Health posted on X her visit to the Sebokeng Hospital following the tragic transport accident that cost the lives of 12 children. Other X posts show her visits to the Eldridge, Boekenhout and Goudpark primary schools in Eldorado Park where she handed over supplies paid for by the Department. She wears a prominent strip of cloth in the ANC colours of black, green, and gold on all these visits (see attached X posts here, here and here).
According to Section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution, members of the executive are prohibited from acting in a manner inconsistent with their office or exposing themselves to conflicts between official responsibilities and party interests.
The Executive Members’ Ethics Code requires members to act in good faith, avoid conduct that compromises the integrity of their office, and uphold public confidence in the executive.
I point out in my referral letter that the events are unambiguously official for the following reasons:
• They were conducted in the MEC’s capacity as MEC for Health and Wellness, not as a private citizen or party official;
• They involved state institutions (public hospitals and public schools);
• They were accompanied by official departmental communications, media coverage, and presumably state security, transport, and staff support; and
• They were presented to the public as actions of the Gauteng Provincial Government, not of a political party.
Wearing party regalia while performing official duties undermines the principle of a non-partisan state and sends the message that government belongs to one political party rather than to all South Africans.
The Public Protector is required in terms of Section (2) of the Executive Members Ethics Act to submit a report on the alleged breach of the Executive Ethics Code within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.
It seems that Nkomo-Ralehoko is using official government events to advance her campaign to be the next ANC Provincial Chairperson, which is the stepping stone to become Premier. With great arrogance, she recently told a church gathering: “I can see myself leading this province. I know that I am going to get it, because it’s not mine; it has been designated by God. I have been told by God that ‘this one belongs you’.”
The DA will hold her to account to prevent her abuse of public office for selfish political gain. She should be fixing our crumbling hospitals rather than posing for so many photo ops.