Nkosinathi

Sizwe Dhlomo Defends Anele Mdoda in Heated Online Row Over Husband’s R14m PPE Scandal Media personality Sizwe Dhlomo has leapt to the defence of fellow broadcaster Anele Mdoda after she was dragged into renewed public scrutiny over her husband’s involvement in an irregular R14 million COVID-19 PPE tender. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) today, Saturday, Dhlomo responded to critics accusing Mdoda of “eating” proceeds from the controversial deal. “You know the SIU can track where money goes, right? So wena you’re a better investigator than the SIU? Anele’s never needed any man to subsidise her lifestyle. Ngiyema lapho,” he wrote, quoting a user who claimed Mdoda was benefiting from the funds. The row stems from a Special Tribunal ruling that declared contracts awarded to Tark Group (previously Tuwani Rhodesia) co-owned by Mdoda’s husband Bonelela “Buzza” Mgudlwa and Katleho Mokonyane, daughter of former minister Nomvula Mokonyane unlawful. The Mpumalanga Department of Health had contracted the company in 2020 to supply jumpsuits and masks during the pandemic. The tribunal ordered the repayment of millions, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) involved in tracking the funds. Mdoda herself has not been directly implicated in any wrongdoing. Some users accused Sizwe Dhlomo of shielding his friend, while others pointed to Mdoda’s high-profile lifestyle and recent lobola celebrations, claiming the money indirectly benefited her. Supporters, however, argued that public outrage should target those actually named in the tribunal findings, not their spouses.