Health MEC vows legal action over corruption claims

THE embattled KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi, has threatened to take legal action against people who have implicated her in the Ithala corruption loan scandal.

- WILLEM PHUNGULA

The allegations that emerged a few days ago are that she used her position of power as the chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio committee some years ago to get funding for a family company in Ithala and in government.

The allegations, first brought up by a social media influencer Baas Kruger (it is unclear whether this is a real name), stated that Kwazigugu Investment received a loan from Ithala Bank to buy a farm in Danahuser in the northwest of the province, as well as R1.4 billion from the Agriculture and Rural Development department.

In a statement yesterday, Simelane-Mngadi denied the allegations, calling them false and malicious, saying she was exploring the legal route.

"I'm exploring legal action to protect my name and my integrity and take to task those who deliberately and nefariously wish to impugn my good name," said Simelane-Mngadi.