A fresh wave of political controversy has erupted in Parliament following growing calls for Miss Khusela Diko to be removed from the Ad Hoc Committee currently investigating critical matters of state accountability. Critics argue that her inclusion in the committee undermines its credibility and impartiality, citing past allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest during her tenure in government.
Diko, the former spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, was appointed to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee tasked with oversight responsibilities on governance and executive operations. However, opposition parties, civil society groups, and sections of the public have strongly objected to her participation, insisting that she is “unfit to serve” due to her previous involvement in a controversial personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement scandal.
During her time as presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko faced intense public scrutiny after it was revealed that a company owned by her late husband had been awarded multimillion-rand PPE contracts from the Gauteng Department of Health. Although she denied any wrongdoing and was never criminally charged, she was placed on special leave pending investigations — an episode that left a lasting mark on her public image.
Parliamentary critics argue that such a background compromises the integrity of the Ad Hoc Committee, which is expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and transparency. “It is unacceptable for someone previously linked to questionable procurement practices to sit on a committee designed to promote accountability,” one MP from the opposition benches stated.
Several watchdog organizations have echoed the same sentiment. The Corruption Watch group released a statement urging Parliament to “exercise moral leadership” by re-evaluating Diko’s inclusion. “Public trust in oversight structures is already fragile. Parliament cannot afford to appear lenient toward individuals with tainted public service histories,” the statement read.
Supporters of Diko, however, argue that she has the right to serve and that her prior investigations cleared her of any criminal liability. They describe the criticism as politically motivated and part of an ongoing effort to discredit women leaders in government.
Nonetheless, sources within Parliament suggest that growing pressure may force the committee to review her appointment. Some members have reportedly raised internal concerns that her presence could distract from the core issues under discussion and invite unnecessary public backlash.
As the debate continues, public confidence in the Ad Hoc Committee’s work hangs in the balance. The Parliamentary Ethics Committee is expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming days, after which an official decision regarding Khusela Diko’s status on the committee will be made.
For now, the controversy surrounding her role underscores the persistent tension between political accountability, public trust, and the complex legacy of corruption allegations in South Africa’s governance system.
