Lungani Zungu
Six more health officials will be suspended before the end of the day on Thursday for their roles in the scandalous R150 million Digital Vibes contract.
This was revealed by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla early on Thursday during a media briefing.
Their suspension comes after the release of the scathing Special Investigating Unit’s report by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
The 114-page report implicated 18 people, seven of whom worked for the health department.
Earlier this week, the director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi was placed on precautionary suspension for his role in the Digital Vibes scandal.
The other six officials who will join Buthelezi on the suspended list are:
- Dr Anban Pillay, deputy director-general
- Popo Maja, head of communication
- Patricia Ngobese
- Shireen Pardesi
- Sifiso Dlamini
- Mxolisi Zondi
The SIU recommended that Dr Pillay be criminally charged for deviating from normal procurement channels when the Digital Vibes contract was awarded.
Former health minister Mkhize resigned over the scandal in August. The media company is owned by Mkhize’s long-time pals Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha.
The SIU found that Mkhize had lied and acted “at best improper and at worst unlawful”.
He was accused of pressuring former director-general Precious Matsoso to appoint Digital Vibes to manage the National Health Insurance (NHI) communication strategy and later Covid-19 in 2020.
The SIU also found that the Digital Vibes paid R6,720 for repairs at a house belonging to Mkhize, transferred R300,000 in cash to Mkhize’s son Dedani and financed a R160,000 second-hand Land Cruiser for Dedani’s Pietermaritzburg farm.
Despite these findings, president Ramaphosa praised Mkhize on Wednesday for the work he did to fight Covid-19 while he was still health minister.
Image source: @HealthZA
