Lungani Zungu
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to make a big shake-up to his cabinet that would see him axe Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, amid the controversy surrounding the R150-million Digital Vibes contract.
Mkhize’s future as cabinet minister has been in doubt ever since the R150-million Digital Vibes contract from the health department was exposed by the Daily Maverick, raising questions over corruption within the minister’s office.
It is alleged that the people who called the shots at Digital Vibes were Mkhize’s long-time colleagues and close friends, Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha.
One of Mkhize’s close allies and a fellow cabinet minister told Scrolla.Africa that Mkhize will fight his sacking, should Ramaphosa drop the axe on him.
“We all know that [Mkhize] is going, and it’s going to happen in the coming days. I don’t think he will survive for two more weeks.”
In his speculated cabinet reshuffle, Ramaphosa is also expected to fill the position of Minister in the Presidency, which has been left vacant after Jackson Mthembu’s passing due to Covid-19 earlier this year.
Ramaphosa’s close ally, the Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has been the acting Minister of Presidency since January.
The president has kept his cards very close to his chest about who he will appoint to this position.
Several sources are saying that Mkhize’s deputy health minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, will act in the position until a permanent minister is appointed.
Ramaphosa told Parliament last week that he was awaiting the final report of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report before he sealed Mkhize’s fate.
Mkhize once wielded massive political power in his home province of KZN, which he led as ANC chairperson and premier until 2013.
Mkhize surrendered his premier position to take up his full-time ANC treasurer-general position at Luthuli House in 2013.
Steadily gaining prominence within the party, he became Minister of Health in 2019.
On Friday, Mkhize snubbed the portfolio health committee, where he was expected to respond to allegations of the irregular tender his department handed to Digital Vibes.
He said this was based on legal advice.
All attempts to reach Mkhize failed, and his department spokesperson didn’t respond to questions sent to him.
The acting spokesperson in the presidency Tyrone Seale said he was not aware of any cabinet reshuffle.
The woes that have dogged Mkhize were likely to decide his fate in government and in the ANC.
Image source: COGTA
