She was spokesperson to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from March 2018 until July 2020, when she was implicated in a high-profile COVID-19 procurement scandal and took extended special leave.
[3] Diko was formerly the spokesperson for the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League[4][5] and chief director of communications in the provincial government of Gauteng.
[9] The Sunday Independent alleged that her husband was a director of a company, Royal Bhaca Projects, that had been awarded state contracts to provide the Gauteng Department of Health with personal protective equipment, at an inflated price of R125 million.
Simultaneously, Diko was subject to a government disciplinary process in her capacity as an employee of the Presidency, arising from the SIU's concern that she had failed to disclose certain financial interests as required by public service regulations.
[13][14] Diko did not return to work at the Presidency; Tyrone Seale continued to act as presidential spokesperson until a permanent replacement, Vincent Magwenya, was appointed with effect from 1 June 2022.
[15] The Daily Maverick reported that when she returned from maternity leave in October 2021, she was likely to be appointed as a deputy director-general at the Government Communication and Information System.
Her candidacy was supported by the leadership of the ANC Youth League[17] and she received 1,439 votes across the 4,029 ballots cast, making her the 28th most popular of the 80 candidates elected to the committee.