The dismissal of Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Chief Executive, Ayanda Wakaba, over the mismanagement of a R100 million economic development fund once again highlights the governance crisis at the heart of this provincial administration.
In a province already facing staggering unemployment and poverty, the mishandling of such a vital initiative erodes hope and denies communities the chance to build sustainable livelihoods.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned that another development initiative has been crippled by poor oversight, weak internal controls, and disregard for fiduciary responsibilities, and will be demanding a full accounting of how the funds were managed.
Initial investigation findings, conducted by GBInc Attorneys, reveal that ECDC leadership deviated from the official framework jointly developed by the National Treasury and the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism. This unilateral rewriting of policy, without disclosure to the board, represents a serious breach of trust and accountability.
This misalignment between frameworks has real consequences for beneficiaries. National Treasury or DEDEAT could question or even halt payments, leaving entrepreneurs and small businesses in limbo. Those who have already received support may later be told they did not meet the official criteria, exposing them to the risk of clawbacks, repayment demands, or disqualification.
The DA will demand a full accounting to the Eastern Cape Legislature of how these funds were managed, what systems of oversight were in place, and what corrective measures will be implemented to ensure that this R100 million is not wasted. We will further demand that those implicated in failing to uphold their duties are held personally accountable.
I will be tabling parliamentary questions to the MEC of DEDEAT, Nonkqubela Pieters, to determine how much of the R100 million fund has been disbursed, who the beneficiaries are, whether payments were made in line with the official framework or the ECDC’s internal policy, and what the latest developments mean for those beneficiaries.
What matters most is that economic development funds are restored to help entrepreneurs and communities access real opportunities, create jobs, and build resilience in our provincial economy.
The DA remains committed to ensuring that public money is spent honestly and effectively. The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers, and a future built on dignity, opportunity, and honest government.