The DA has called upon the MEC for human settlements in Gauteng, Lebogang Maile, to make public the full report into Nonkwelo Investments following allegations of excessive loans offered by the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF).
The investigation was launched in July after it was alleged that Nonkwelo Investments, a company associated with Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s family, received substantial loans from GPF during Mashatile’s tenure as human settlements MEC.
The controversy centres around claims that Mashatile resides in a lavish R37-million house registered under a company belonging to his son, Thabiso, and son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo.
According to reports, Nonkwelo Investments received at least four loans from the GPF between 2013 and 2017, a period when Mashatile was MEC for human settlements.
Mervyn Hyman Cirota, a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature for the DA, emphasized the importance of transparency in this matter.
He stated: “The disclosure of the report will prevent further speculation on the nature of the loan granted to Nonkwelo Investments by the fund and provide answers on why Nonkwelo Investments benefited from the transaction.
“If MEC Maile is committed to ensuring transparency in his department and entities, he will make this report available immediately.”
Cirota also highlighted the potential consequences if wrongdoing is uncovered, saying that the money must be recovered.
“Furthermore, if it is found in this report that Nonkwelo Investments unduly benefited from the loans granted by the GPF, this money must be recovered.
“In addition, any officials involved in awarding this loan must be investigated, and should it be found that there was a breach of any processes, disciplinary action and, where applicable, criminal charges must follow.”
Cirota expressed the DA’s determination to continue exerting pressure on Maile to ensure the prompt release of the report and to hold accountable those who are implicated.
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