Just in: Khusela Diko husband passed away

Early reports suggest that the husband of former Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko lost his life at a hospital, on Sunday.

Khusela Diko husband dies: What’s the cause of death?

Newzroom Afrika confirmed the news in a televised report. At this time, it is not known what the cause of death is. More of this will become clearer as the day progresses, we’re told.

What we know about Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko

Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko came under the spotlight in late 2020, when the lid was lifted on a Gauteng PPE scandal that placed the royal couple at the centre of flouted procurement deals worth more than R16 million.

An investigation led by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that Diko’s Ledla Structural Development, a proxy for Royal Bhaca Projects, landed a multi-million rand tender deal to provide protective equipment for the provincial health department.

It was soon discovered that not only was there a conflict of interest in the close relations between the AmaBhaca royal and his wife, a spokesperson of the president, but that procurement processes were flouted to award Ledla the deal.

The matter still sits with the Special Tribunal and efforts are being made to recover the monies stolen from the public purse. Unfortunately, Diko II had not cleared his name from wrongdoing at the time of his passing.

Diko II was the head of AmaBhaca, a South African ethnic group that sits high on the hierarchy of the Xhosa kingdom.

His marriage to princess of the AbaThembu people (Khusela Diko) was the first bridging of powerhouse clans of its kind in the modern era.

The couple has been married for more than four years. The Dikos had not birthed any children.

This is a developing story.