By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Health minister Zweli Mkhize on Friday dodged a briefing with parliament’s portfolio committee on health, citing a Special Investigating Unit probe into the controversial Digital Vibes scandal.
“I have been in touch with the minister, I last spoke to the minister last night and he indicated to me that he has been advised that because of the investigation in his department that also involves or touches his name, that legally it is not correct that he is the one leading the delegation to lead us,” said portfolio committee chair Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
He said they accepted that and instead, the committee would be briefed by the department’s director-general, Dr Sandile Buthelezi.
“The minister is unable to be here because of legal advice that the process is in the department and also touches the minister.”
Mkhize was meant to give parliament an update into actions taken against individuals who played a part in the controversial tender.
The minister has been at the centre of the R150m Digital Vibes tender scandal.
Pressure continues to mount on President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Mkhize on suspension, pending the outcomes of the SIU probe into the serious allegations. Ramaphosa has taken a cautious approach, saying he has confidence in the investigating unit’s ability to do its work.
Mkhize is a political heavyweight in South Africa; He served as treasurer-general of the ruling African National Congress prior to becoming health minister and ran for the party leadership in 2017, a contest that was won by Ramaphosa.
A medical doctor, he has spearheaded the nation’s coronavirus response and initially won widespread praise for his sombre approach toward tackling the pandemic. He contracted Covid-19 as he crisscrossed the country to assess the state of the health system and made scores of public appearances to educate the public about the disease.
His star waned somewhat as infections skyrocketed — the country has had more than 1.6 million confirmed cases so far. The government was also slow off the mark to begin administering vaccines, in part because of protracted wrangling with suppliers over contractual terms.
Ramaphosa said Mkhize had briefed him about the Digital Vibes contract and he was awaiting the submission of the SIU’s final report.