SIU wants to conclude Digital Vibes contracts probe this month

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is aiming to conclude its investigation into the contracts awarded by the Health Department to service provider Digital Vibes before the end of June.

“We envisage that although the overall (SIU) investigations into PPE (personal protective equipment) would end in August, we would really like to conclude this (Digital Vibes) investigation by the end of June.

“Of course, we continue to get information that comes through whistleblowers and the investigation team is duty-bound to look into those allegations and make appropriate pronouncements,” SIU head Andy Mothibi said.

Mothibi was briefing the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) on the procurement of PPE for the Covid-19 pandemic.

His appearance came as reports claimed that comrades and colleagues of Health Minister Zweli Mkhize allegedly benefited from the R150 million in contracts apparently irregularly awarded to Digital Vibes for work concerning the

Covid-19 pandemic and National Health Insurance.

Mothibi said their investigators have been going through the procurement process conducted in the department.

The department had previously said the procurement process was found to be irregular.

“In respect of the aspects of the investigation, we have determined the accountability levels of who was involved in the actual procurement. The referrals will be made to the department,” Mothibi said.

He said they would also look at various allegations made in respect of other officials in the department, and Mkhize and Digital Vibes.

“I am really constrained to go into detail. We are investigating all those allegations and the investigation is going well,” Mothibi said.

He assured the committee that the investigation would look into all the allegations and gather evidence to reach an appropriate finding by the end of June.

He told the MPs earlier that out of R126.7 billion spent on Covid-19 relief, the value of the alleged irregular contracts under investigation by the SIU totalled R14.3bn, and R614.3m in expenditure had already been referred to the Special Tribunal in order for contracts to be set aside and losses recovered.

Mothibi said 4 117 PPE contracts awarded to 2 251 service providers, to the value of R14.2bn, were under investigation. “These investigations that are on our books should be finalised come the end of August.”

The SIU had finalised investigations into 1 071 contracts awarded to 835 service providers to the tune of R5.7bn.