Durban - Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is probing KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu for apparently spending about R100 000 a month on a hired car instead of using a state vehicle that he inherited from his predecessor.
On Wednesday, Mshengu welcomed the investigation, saying he was certain his name would be cleared.
Mkhwebane’s spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, said the probe was under way, and said the public protector had met the complainant this week.
“The public protector has since January 2020 been investigating the matter. Correspondence has been exchanged with the MEC (Mshengu) and the (head of the department, Dr Vusumuzi Nzama),” said Segalwe.
It was reported late last year that Mshengu had opted to use a hired car for more than five months at a cost of about R500 000 after he was advised against using a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 he inherited from former Education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwane as it apparently had mechanical faults.
Mshengu told Independent Media on Wednesday Mkhwebane had written to him, requesting information about the hiring of the car.
“We have co-operated and responded comprehensively.
“We welcome the probe by the public protector as I am quite certain that it will vindicate me,” said Mshengu. DA MPL Imran Keeka said his party met with the public protector’s investigators at her Durban office to make further submissions.
Previously, Mshengu told the media that he had contemplated using his own car, but shelved the idea after realising it would cost the state R153 000 per month.