Public protector to open case of contempt against Mkhize for ignoring subpoena
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the latest to pile on Health Minister Zweli Mkhize as his woes continue to mount.
This comes after the Chapter 9 institution revealed plans to lay a charge of contempt against Mkhize for failing to honour a subpoena.
According to spokesperson Oupa Segalwe, Mkhize was summoned to provide documents and evidence to assist the office in its investigation into allegations that his department failed to implement recommendations of the 2017 Report of the Clinical Associate National Task Team.
A complaint was brought forward by the General Secretary of the Professional Association of Clinical Associates of South Africa (PACASA) who wanted the recommendations to be implemented after the task team undertook to review the value and future of the Clinical Associates profession in the health sector.
But Segalwe claims Mkhize ignored three subpoenas to attend to the matter.
"Subpoena notices were served on Dr. Mkhize on 04 February 2021 for his appearance before the Public Protector on 18 March 2021, on 21 April 2021 for 07 May 2021 and again on 24 May 2021 for 01 June 2021. He failed to present himself on all three occasions, with his office advising each time that he was unavailable.
"In terms of section 7(4)(a) of the Public Protector Act, read with section 7(5) of the same legislation, the Public Protector has the power to direct any person to submit an affidavit or affirmation or to appear before her to give evidence or produce any document in their possession or under their control, which has a bearing on a matter under investigation.
Segalwe adds Mkhwebane will lay the charges at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria before the end of the week.
"It is critical for state functionaries to understand that compliance with our investigations is not optional."
Mkhize is also under investigation for his alleged role in the dodgy Digital Vibes tender.
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