Oppositional political parties in the Western Cape have thrown in their two cents regarding the immediate suspension of the Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela, for allegations against a fraudulent CV.
The MEC for Transport and Public Works was suspended on Thursday, April 15 by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, after he allegedly lied about having a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resources.
As reported by IOL, Madikizela’s CV came under scrutiny from the DA’s Federal Legal Commission for investigation. According to Good party secretary-general Brett Herron, there is no reason for a 14-day suspension because Madikizela has already admitted to lying.
“I think he should have been dismissed because the Public protector found Madikizela guilty of lying to parliament, that report was issued two weeks ago and instructed Winde to act on it,” Herron said. In 2019 Madikizela allegedly made false and misleading statements about Herron in the provincial legislation relating to inner-city social housing projects.
Herron added, that this investigation should not be about the DA’s internal processes but rather, is about a MEC that breached the national qualifications framework act, which makes it a criminal offence to claim a qualification you don’t have.
This folks is why you should never lie on a CV. It is fraud:
Call for Western Cape DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela to quit as Zille probes his alleged lying on CV.https://t.co/AtaQXLFFun
— Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) April 14, 2021
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters in the Western Cape has welcomed Madikizela’s suspension. Provincial chairperson, Melikhaya Xego told Cape {town} Etc that the MEC needs to appear in front of the ethics committee because he holds a public office.
“As public representatives, we have got a code of conduct in the provincial legislature, so he should also abide with that, ” Xego said.
Xego added that the DA is utilising the issue because Madikizela has thrown his name in the hat for the mayoral position.
“It is not like the DA has not known about this, they knew about it for a very long time, they have kept it as some kind of ammunition to use against him,” Xego added.
Leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Ferlon Christians added that Madikizela should be charged but it depends on the outcome of the investigation.
“It is always a good thing to investigate and to find out and determine what the facts are,” Christian said.
When asked if premier Alan Winde made a correct decision to suspend the MEC, Christian said:
“If there are serious allegations out there, the first thing you do as premier is to suspend and investigate to determine the facts.”
Madikizela is not the first politician to come under scrutiny for lying on his CV after ANC Stalwart Pallo Jordan was asked to step down in 2014.
Picture: TWITTER/@MadikizelaBongz
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