South Africans have flocked to social media to express their shock and convey condolences to presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko following the death of her husband Chief Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko II.
Diko died in an East London hospital on Sunday after a short illness, a family member told TimesLIVE.
In a short statement on Monday, the KwaBhaca Great Kingdom expressed shock at Diko’s untimely death.
“iSizwe samaBhaca and the royal family are still coming to terms with this shocking and painful loss of our beloved father, son and husband.
“We are humbled by the outpouring of support and grief since the news of His Majesty’s passing first became known. We thank you for keeping the family and iSizwe samaBhaca in your thoughts and prayers during this time of grief.”
Madzikane was thrust into the spotlight last year July due to allegations of conflict of interest over him being awarded a multi-million rand personal protective equipment tender from the Gauteng Health Department.
Family spokesperson Lumko Mtimde said: “This is tragic and unexpected news. The king was a young healthy man, therefore we never expected to lose him so soon.”
Details surrounding his death are still not clear.
The Dikos were in the spotlight because of a R125 million tender that the late chief received from the Gauteng Health Department last year.
After issues of conflict of interest were raised, that decision was revoked and no money was paid.
The Dikos later admitted that the decision to get into business with the government was an error of judgement.
Meanwhile, Diko’s wife, Khusela remains on suspension from her job in the Presidency while a disciplinary process continues.
The PPE tender scandal also cost Bandile Masuku his job as Gauteng Health MEC. TimesLive/Eye Witness News
