Premier Alan Winde has announced that the DA’s leader in the Western Cape Bonginkosi Madikizela will be suspended for 14 days while an investigation is carried out into his alleged to lying about his qualifications on his CV.
Madikizela is alleged to have lied about what degrees he holds on his CV.
His alleged dishonesty emerged after the Daily Maverick (DM) received a tip-off about a ‘fake degree’ on the politician’s CV.
The DM reported that it had been trying to obtain a copy of Madikizela’s CV following the tip-off.
Madikizela then told the DM he had obtained a BCom from Unisa in 1999 and later an IT diploma from the National Institute of Information Technology.
Hours later, Madikizela made a U-turn, and messaged the DM to say: “I’ve noticed on my bio the (unfinished) is not on. I didn’t complete my BCom degree, I thought I should clarify that.”
Premier Alan Winde said he had met with Madikizela yesterday afternoon and asked for an explanation.
“During that meeting I made clear that acting with integrity is non-negotiable to me, and to the people of the Western Cape. I also made clear that I believe in fairness and due process, where all the facts are properly considered.”
“I have since carefully considered the matter and have taken the decision to suspend minister Madikizela effective immediately for a period of 14 days, while an investigation determines all the facts,” Winde said.
The Premier said he would make a final decision regarding Madikizela and his role in his cabinet once he has all the facts.