By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former chief communications director at the Health Department Popo Maja has appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday morning.
Maja handed himself over to police on Wednesday ahead of his court appearance.
He was one of five officials who sat on the department’s bid specification and evaluation committees when Digital Vibes was awarded a tender of over R141 million.
Maja, Dr Anban Pillay, and Shireen Pardesi were suspended following the investigations by an independent forensic audit firm and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the multi-million-rand tender.
The SIU found that a tender awarded to Digital Vibes to handle communications around the national health insurance and Covid-19 was irregular.
According to the charge sheet, Maja was part of the bid evaluation committee, which assessed the different bids for the tender.
It’s alleged that he was paid two bribes amounting to R15 000 during this process.
According to the charge sheet, the money for the alleged bribes flowed from a Digital Vibes bank account into another account owed by Tahera Mather.
From there, the money was allegedly deposited into Maja’s bank account.
The State has accused Mather of being the true owner of Digital Vibes.
Former health minister Zweli Mkhize resigned over the Digital Vibes scandal after it was claimed that he was linked to the company’s owners, Mather and Naadhira Mitha.
Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department it will allow the law to take its course.
“The Department upholds its position of zero tolerance to fraud and corruption and will allow the legal process to take its course without any interference.
“The department believes in the principle of innocent until proven guilty, and the procedural fairness will be adhered to in order to afford Maja space and opportunity to deal with the case.”
Maja was granted bail of R5000 and matter was postponed to 19 July for disclosure of contents of the docket.