Zweli matter tabled to Scopa
IT REMAINS to be seen if former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize will face any charges or be prosecuted.
This comes as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) yesterday conceded that Mkhize could have committed a crime in the R50 million communications contract the Health Department previously awarded to service provider Digital Vibes.
Briefing Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) yesterday, SIU head Andy Mothibi said the corruption-busting unit continued to obtain information on the matter even after it recently submitted its final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“There are still allegations coming in. We will soon be pronouncing,” Mothibi said.
He was briefing Parliament on the SIU’S investigations into the procurement of personal protective equipment for Covid-19 and the Digital Vibes saga. He added that where they found evidence pointing to a criminal action, the evidence would be referred by law enforcement agencies to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other regulatory bodies.
According to Mothibi, there was an inter-agency team comprised of the SIU, NPA and the Hawks. It met regularly to deal with the 19 referrals involving the Digital Vibes contract.
“Very soon we will see the results of these investigations. I will not go into the details,” he said.
A report tabled to Scopa indicated that one of the referrals made in connection to Mkhize in his capacity as
the former minister involved criminal activity.
Other charges include:
Failure to execute his function in compliance with the Constitution, general oversight responsibilities in respect of the affairs of the National Department of Health and his obligations in terms of Section 63 of the PFMA.
Causing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure to be incurred.
Possible conflicts of interest in the appointment of Digital Vibes.
Mkhize may have been negligent when approving budgets in respect of the NHI and Covid-19 media campaigns.
He may have acted contrary to a relevant Cabinet decision.
SIU lead investigator Johnny le Roux maintained that they had made referrals involving senior management, middle management and junior officials for disciplinary action for non-compliance with supply chain management processes and contravention of the PFMA.