DA insists Mkhize must step down, says ‘cannot be trusted’
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reiterated its call for Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to step down.
This comes after an independent forensic investigation revealed that the R150 million tender awarded to communications company Digital Vibes was irregular and contravened the Public Finance Management Act.
The DA's Siviwe Gwarube says the probe makes it clear that public coffers were looted under Mkhize’s watch.
"It cannot be that the very person entrusted with the Covid-19 response in the country is embroiled in this kind of scandal involving public money.
"Minister Mkhize should step down pending a full Special Investigative Unit (SIU) investigation," said Gwarube.
On Thursday morning Mkhize told reporters he was not involved in the appointment of the communications company.
Mkhize denies any benefit from Digital Vibes contract, won’t step aside https://t.co/rTl73OJnwa pic.twitter.com/zDeNHgOLLo
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) May 26, 2021
The DA believes the minister might interfere with the SIU investigations.
However, Mkhize said the SIU report is near completion and would be handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"He must simply step down to allow the independent investigation to take its course and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to give an update on who will be criminally charged and held accountable for this grand theft," Gwarube said.
