The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently held a picket at the former house of ANC chief whip, Brian Hlongwa.
The picket was in protest of the R12 million spent by Hlongwe to sell his old house, buy a new one and renovate it.
This according to Jack Bloom, DA shadow MEC for health, who said the property was originally bought for R7,2 million. “It was a nice property but he did not move into it; he had far grander plans. He demolished the entire structure and was building a new house.”
When he lost his position as MEC for health, the whole thing was abandoned halfway when he ran out of money.
Bloom has called it the Nkandla of Gauteng that Hlongwa was building. “We have counted at least 10 bedrooms.”
The @DAGauteng are picketing outside the house bought by Brian Hlongwa allegedly through corrupt practices. @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/gDVkwPmOya
— Pieter Dempsey (@Will_Diomasaigh) July 2, 2018
He said there was a lot more money involved, which Bloom has estimated at around R12 million. The money was given to him for his old house on College Drive in Bryanston at the amount of R4,5 million, R1,5 million was paid by Niven Pillay of Regiments Capital which is a Gupta-linked company, a further R2,6 million was paid by Richard Payne and Nivan Pillay towards the Eccleston house.
Bloom said other payments were also made which brings the total amount to R12 million.
“The payments have been identified in court documents concerning the house in Eccleston Cresent and his previous house in College Drive Bryanston which was bought for a very generous amount.
“The house is currently attached to a court order and is under curatorship.”
@Sandton_News at the house of Brian Hlongwe bought for R7.2 million in Bryanston. pic.twitter.com/KeqbXE6LEd
— Pieter Dempsey (@Will_Diomasaigh) July 2, 2018
Bloom said they are protesting because all the money should have gone into healthcare for the people of Gauteng. “The ANC in Gauteng has shamefully protected Hlongwa and last week voted down a motion in the Gauteng Legislature that would have forced him to resign.”
He said the DA is exploring all legal avenues to ensure that he faces his day in court with other implicated parties as soon as possible.
“There is good evidence to show that this house is a proceed of crime, and all those who benefitted from corrupt contracts in this matter should be jailed and ‘pay back the money’,” alleged Bloom.
What do you think about the large amounts spent on the property? Share your views with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
