THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head advocate Andy Mothibi said on Monday that a high-level investigation into allegations of corruption against Health Minister Zweli Mkhize was at an advanced stage and was about to be concluded soon.
Mkhize, a high-ranking member of the African National Congress national executive committee (NEC), is accused of having a hand in irregular procurement processes in relation to a COVID-19 communications tender awarded to his associates.
Mothibi said the SIU has already reached some conclusions on aspects of the investigations, but cannot disclose these at this stage.
Mothibi was speaking at the launch of the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF) at a press conference in Cape Town.
The SIU investigation was looking into how Mkhize’s long-time personal assistant, Tahera Mather, and a close associate, Naadhira Mitha, allegedly benefitted from COVID-19 contracts worth over R80 million issued by the Department of Health.
The Daily Maverick investigation has revealed how Digital Vibes, an obscure firm controlled by Mather and Mitha, received R150-million for questionable communications services linked to the department’s nascent National Health Insurance (NHI) programme and government’s fight against Covid-19.
The publication also revealed that Mather and Mitha, and other parties, pocketed roughly R90 million in suspicious payments.
According to the publication, of the R150-million Digital Vibes received from the Department of Health:
- Some R90-million was channelled to entities set up by Mather and Mitha, to businesses and personal accounts of Mather’s immediate family, and to other suspicious third parties, including the late AmaBhaca King Madzikane II Diko’s Royal Bhaca Projects
- Only about R40-million went towards recipients identified as legitimate service providers and other costs related to the DoH contract
- Roughly R20-million is still to be accounted for.
On Monday night, the Department of Health issued a statement regarding the ‘dodgy’ communications contract following media enquiries.
“At this stage we can only confirm that the decision for the investigation to be conducted externally by entities with the necessary capacity was important as it has unveiled some glaring irregularities that will certainly have to be responded to [or] action taken against,” the statement read.
“We wish to assure you that that commitment remains. We are also confident that the SIU continues to follow its investigation process as proclaimed. Interviews have been held with affected parties, various actions to uncover the details into the allegations have already been embarked on.”
In February, Mkhize told Parliament that the department welcomed the SIU investigation into COVID-19 corruption implicating him and his associates.
“This is part of the commitment we made that allegations of any form of corruption made must be investigated. This remains important for the Department of Health as it is expected to continue implementing government’s plan and strategy to our COVID-19 response,” said Mkhize.
“Because these allegations have raised public interest, we do commit that the outcomes of the investigation will be accordingly reported to the public.”
- Inside Politics
