Mkhize special leave a setback in Covid-19 fight, says analyst
Political analyst Levy Ndou believes the placing of Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa is a setback to the country’s battle against Covid-19.
Mkhize has been placed on leave pending an investigation into an R150 million tender between the Health Department and communications company Digital Vibes.
Calls for Mkhize to be sacked mounted as the links between the minister, his son Dedani, and other close associates became clear.
Ramaphosa has appointed Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane to act in the position until further notice.
"I think South Africans have to be seriously worried because Minister Mkhize has been providing us with all the necessary information related to the Covid-19 pandemic and if you have someone who comes in to deal with health issues it must be someone who is able to match the work he has been doing," says Ndou.
"Not to say minister Kubayi-Ngubane cannot provide the service as required, (but) it might take time for minister Kubayi-Ngubane to catch up with the work that minister Mkhize was doing which I think the majority of South Africans have been happy with.”
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Before the announcement, Mkhize confirmed he was prepared to take special leave but could not answer questions on whether he would resign.
Ndou says this is because Mkhize believes he will be cleared by the SIU investigation.
"I think by taking special leave the minister is trying to say he does not want to be seen as interfering or being involved in the investigation, but I also think the minister is also saying that he is still convinced that he is innocent and has done nothing that would qualify him to resign.”
Mkhize will also appear before the African National Congress (ANC) integrity committee.
