By Celumusa Zulu.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says the new evidence it’s pursuing in the Digital Vibes corruption scandal implicates family members of former health minister Zweli Mkhize.
Investigators say they have been granted permission by the Special Tribunal to admit their findings in court.
A 2021 probe found the R150 million COVID communications tender with the KZN-based marketing agency was irregular.
The SIU alleges that Mkhize’s wife, son, and a business associate personally benefited from funds meant for COVID and National Health Insurance communication contracts.
Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the evidence is crucial to exposing how public funds were laundered through bogus business dealings.
“ We felt that it was important for us to add this crucial information as part of this matter at the tribunal. The respondents were also applying to the tribunal to stay.
“They were saying that there is a matter that is before the High Court put through by Dr Mkhize, where he’s trying to nullify our report to the president. Therefore, they’re saying, because of that, let us not continue with this one.”
Additionally, Kganyago said the SIU was still waiting for the judgment on the stay application and that until the outcome of the stay application, and if not granted, then another case management meeting will be arranged to seek direction from the tribunal on timelines for further proceedings in the main application.
“So we cannot give timelines at this stage on the main proceedings. Obviously, if the stay application is granted by the tribunal, then no steps will be taken in the tribunal case, not until the finalisation of a review application that was brought by Dr (Zweli) Mkhize in the high court, where he is asking court to review and set aside SIU presidential report and referral that was submitted to President (Cyril Ramaphosa),” he further explained.
The Digital Vibes scandal is one of a number of investigations related to the misuse of funds under the guise of Covid-relief, something that has enraged many South Africans.
The former health minister may have resigned from his post but remains a member of parliament.
Ramaphosa has staked his reputation on fighting corruption and South Africans are now waiting to see what action, if any, will be taken in the wake of this damning report.