Public protector slams MEC Majodina

PUBLIC protector Thuli Madonsela has recommended that Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle take disciplinary action against MEC Pemmy Majodina.

The finding comes after Majodina was paid more than R18 000 for subsistence and travel by her then department of social development and special programmes as part of a week-long trip to the US in 2012.

The claim was four times the normal amount she qualified for.

The scandal was first exposed in September 2012 and the Congress of the People requested the public protector to investigate Majodina, who is now Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC.

Madonsela’s findings were released yesterday.

She said the allegations against Majodina were substantiated and what she did was improper or unlawful enrichment.

“By accepting the excessive amount and participating in the irregular process, her conduct colluded in the misappropriation of public funds.

“Her failure to rectify the mistake after it was uncovered was discomforting.

“MEC Majodina, who is bound by the executive ethics code and ministerial handbook, insists she did nothing wrong,” Madonsela said.

Sport, recreation, arts and culture spokesman Andile Nduna said: “We are engaging with the content of the report and will, in the stipulated 30-day notice [period], respond.

“The MEC remains committed to clean governance, ethical conduct and will always abide by the law.”

In 2012, Majodina and her chief of staff, Nozibele Majikija, were part of a delegation that travelled to New York to attend a conference.

The department prepared an allowance of R3 711.25 for Majodina to cover her food and other incidentals, but she allegedly demanded R15 000.

The department paid her more than R18 000, while Majikija received R6 700 for the same trip.

In her report, Madonsela said Majodina maintained she did not submit receipts because she understood the money to have been for an allowance.

-Bongani Fuzile