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The DA has received confirmation from Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that she will investigate KZN Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

Ms Madonsela will probe ethics violations by Mr Dhlomo for his use of Durban’s only medical helicopter to make a 750 km round-trip to a funeral in Hlabisa on 3 November.

A dossier of ethics violations by KZN Health MEC Dhlomo was submitted to the Public Protector late last year.

Any number of medical emergencies requiring the use of the medical helicopter could have occurred in Ethekwini metro and surrounds on that day.

MEC Dhlomo knowingly shrugged off the potential deaths and lifetime’s worth of damage to Durban families he could have caused by taking that medical helicopter. He has failed to provide an acceptable explanation for this abuse of office.

Ms Madonsela’s office has confirmed that the ethics investigation will take 30 days to complete in accordance with the Executive Ethics Act.

The DA trusts that the Public Protector will come to a conclusive finding on whether it was ethical for MEC Dhlomo to wilfully endanger the lives of the people of KZN for selfish reasons.