By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the release of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report into Digital Vibes.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised publication of the final report of the Special Investigating Unit into the National Department of Health’s awarding of a National Health Insurance media campaign and subsequent COVID-19 communications to Digital Vibes, “said the Presidency on Wednesday.
The President received a report and referral on the Digital Vibes matter from the Special Investigating Unit in early July 2021.
“The Presidency subsequently sent third-party notices to all persons or entities referred to in the report, so they could have an opportunity to object to its publication or part thereof. This was done in the interest of fairness and in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), following a number of PAIA applications by persons and parties who wished to have sight of the report,” it said.
In June, the SIU was granted a preservation order to freeze approximately R22 million held in bank and investment accounts linked to Digital Vibes (Pty) Ltd. The Special Tribunal granted the order on 17 June 2021.
This is as part of taking action against those implicated in corruption, maladministration and malpractice, in the matter involving the national Department of Health and the communication firm.
This also includes entities/individuals, who received payments from Digital Vibes, which is at the center of, inter alia, a COVID-19 media campaign contract that was awarded to it by the department.
According to the SIU, evidence obtained indicates that Dr Anban Pillay, former acting director-general of the national Department of Health (NDOH) during the Covid-19 media campaign, should be criminally prosecuted for financial misconduct.
This weekend, the health department announced the suspension of health director-general (DG) Sandile Buthelezi over the matter.
Nicholas Crisp, the deputy director-general responsible for the NHI, will continue to act until Buthelezi’s hearing process has been concluded.
Buthelezi’s suspension follows former health minister Zweli Mkhize’s resignation in June.