Mkhize: Digital Vibes investigation ‘nothing to do with ANC politics’
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says he does not believe the investigation into the R150 million Digitial Vibes contract has anything to do with the politics inside the African National Congress (ANC).
Mkhize was responding to a Sunday Times article published yesterday, which alleges that he met with some party leaders on Friday.
The article further states that Mkhize blamed President Cyri Ramaphosa for targeting potential candidates who could challenge him in next year’s elective conference.
In a statement, Mkhize disputes the report.
“The minister has noted with concern the Sunday Times report which refers to a “source” who attended a meeting with Dr Mkhize over the weekend.
“He specifically mentions 2022. The minister wishes to clarify that he does not believe that this investigation has anything to do with ANC politics or as referred to in the article, “2022”.
Furthermore, Mkhize says that he does not blame Ramaphosa for the investigation.
“The Minister fully acknowledges that the President had signed a proclamation to look into any allegations of graft relating to PPE. In any event, even before the SIU took over the investigation, the Department of Health had initiated its own investigation. It is therefore disingenuous to allege that this is linked to any political contestation. At no point has the Minister blamed the President for this investigation.”
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Pressure is mounting on Mkhize to resign since the tender scandal implicates two of his close associates.
Since then, Mkhize has written to the party’s Integrity Committee (IC) making himself available to appear before it.
It is alleged that he has also suspended top officials from his department.
They include deputy-general for health regulations and compliance management and Dr Anban Pillay and chief director for communications and stockholder management Popo Maja.
