By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Digital Vibes, the communications firm at the centre of an alleged corruption storm over a R150-million contract from the Department of Health (DoH), made at least two payments to a contractor for maintenance and repair work at a Johannesburg property owned by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s ZLM Trust.
Digital Vibes also transferred at least R300,000 to a company owned by Mkhize’s son.
The latter payment was made in May 2020 to All Out Trading, an entity whose sole director is Dedani Mkhize (33).
Mkhize and the DoH were questioned about the payments for the property maintenance bills, but they did not provide feedback.
Daily Maverick revelations seemingly contradict earlier denials from Mkhize that he had benefited from the deal.
“Let me categorically state that I have not personally benefited from this contract,” Mkhize said on Wednesday, 26 May, during a media briefing regarding the Digital Vibes matter.
Despite pressure from opposition parties to act, President Cyril Ramaphosa said earlier on Friday he first wanted the Special Investigating Unit to conclude its work on an investigation into the company with ties to Mkhize’s former aides.
Mkhize this week conceded that the R150 million contract was irregular, but that he had not benefited from it. He said he did not declare any conflict of interest because he did not believe there was one.
Digital Vibes allegedly made at least two payments to a contractor for maintenance and repair work at a Johannesburg property owned by Mkhize’s ZLM Trust.
Scorpio revealed that Digital Vibes made two payments, one in June and the other in July 2020, totalling nearly R7,000 to settle invoices from an electrical contractor for work at an upmarket townhouse in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
At the time, the property was owned by the ZLM Trust. One of its three trustees is Dr May Mkhize, the minister’s wife.
“ZLM” appears to stand for Zweli Lawrence Mkhize.
Responding to queries, Dr May Mkhize confirmed that the Bryanston townhouse was a “family property”, but she strongly denied any knowledge of payments from Digital Vibes for the maintenance work.
Read the rest of Daily Maverick coverage here.
Meanwhile Department of Health said in a statement that the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified in South Africa is 1 645 551, with 4 576 new cases reported.
The department said a further 123 deaths have been reported which brings the total to 56 293 deaths and the cumulative recoveries now stand at 1 551 520 representing a recovery rate of 93, 8%.