Lungani Zungu
Dr Zweli Mkhize’s once-promising political career hit rock-bottom yesterday after he resigned as Minister of Health, completing a spectacular fall from grace over the course of 2021.
Ramaphosa had been under pressure to axe him over his involvement in the scandalous R150-million Digital Vibes contract, which surfaced in May.
Earlier this week, it emerged that money awarded by the Department of Health to fight the Covid-19 pandemic had made its way to beauty salons owned by his son Dedani, and his daughter-in-law, Sthoko.
The Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) report on the controversial contract sealed Mkhize’s fate.
The former ANC treasurer-general said he would take the SUI’s report on judicial review.
Mkhize, who once had ambitions to lead the ANC ahead of the 2017 elective conference, said he would continue to support Ramaphosa’s presidency, in his letter of resignation,
The power that he once wielded saw him elected to the number 1 spot of ANC national executive committee members in 2017.
However, the backing he once enjoyed seemed to have vanished.
Some of his supporters were either backing Ramaphosa or the Radical Economic Transformation ANC faction aligned to former president Jacob Zuma.
Mkhize lost the support of KZN, a province he led as premier and ANC chairperson.
Not a single branch or region came out in his support following the Digital Vibes saga.
With the ANC expected to hold its elective conference next year, it remains unclear whether he will throw his hat in the ring for any party leadership positions.
Questions are now being asked whether this is the end of Mkhize’s political career.
This was Ramaphosa’s first major cabinet shake-up since he officially became president after the ANC’s victory in 2019.
It was yet another indication that Ramaphosa had cemented his support in the ANC and government. His long game appears to be finally paying off.
Mkhize is to be replaced in the hot seat as health minister by his former deputy Joe Phaahla.
Image source: @SAgovnews
