Health Minister Zweli Mkhize denies home maintenance claims

Under-fire Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has told the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) he never requested Digital Vibes to pay for maintenance to his private home.

And Ndabezinhle Sibiya, a former spokesperson for Mkhize, has denied having any links to a firm that allegedly scored millions in an irregular contract from the Department of Health.
Sibiya was named in court papers filed by the SIU at the Special Tribunal as having “potential” links to Sotobe Media, which received R9.78m from Digital Vibes. The SIU is seeking to recover the irregular R150 million the National Department of Health paid to Digital Vibes.

A newspaper reported that at least 20 companies and people, including Sotobe Media, received payments of R90m from Digital Vibes for having done no work. The SIU claimed this was a possible money laundering scheme.

Sibiya said in a statement on Sunday: “I know no company by the name of Sotobe Media or any of its directors. I have never met them. And I have never phoned any of the directors since I was born years ago.
Those who have dragged my name into the mud will face consequences. I will take them to the cleaners.

“As a hard-working and dedicated public servant, I do not own Sotobe Media, nor (am I) involved in any private companies, directly and indirectly. My declaration of interests is public record.’’

Mkhize is seemingly trying to offer up his messenger – also with the surname Mkhize, who allegedly stole from him – as a sacrificial lamb, informing the SIU he never asked Digital Vibes to pay for maintenance to his private home. This is contained in court papers the SIU filed at the Special Tribunal.

Mkhize claimed the messenger had stolen the money for maintenance services provided by his housekeeper and had subsequently approached a Digital Vibes executive to pay for them.

Mkhize said the messenger approached Naadhira Mitha, a close associate of his, to pay the money for the services, which she then did. Evidence, however, showed Digital Vibes paid the money. The Health minister has been placed on special leave.

Last week, the SIU referred evidence relating to Mkhize and his son’s involvement in the tender to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Health minister Zweli Mkhize withdraws from parliament sitting

Beleaguered health minister Zweli Mkhize on Friday dodged a briefing with parliament’s portfolio committee on health, citing a Special Investigating Unit probe into the controversial Digital Vibes scandal.

“I have been in touch with the minister, I last spoke to the minister last night and he indicated to me that he has been advised that because of the investigation in his department that also involves or touches his name, that legally it is not correct that he is the one leading the delegation to lead us,” said portfolio committee chair Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

He said they accepted that and instead, the committee would be briefed by the department’s director-general, Dr Sandile Buthelezi.

“The minister is unable to be here because of legal advice that the process is in the department and also touches the minister.”

Mkhize was meant to give parliament an update into actions taken against individuals who played a part in the controversial tender.

The minister has been at the centre of the R150m Digital Vibes tender scandal.

Pressure continues to mount on President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Mkhize on suspension, pending the outcomes of the SIU probe into the serious allegations. Ramaphosa has taken a cautious approach, saying he has confidence in the investigating unit’s ability to do its work.

This is a developing story

Health minister Zweli Mkhize shares 5 things you need to know about Covid-19 second wave

Health minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Wednesday that SA has entered a second wave of Covid-19 infections.

He was giving an update on the state of Covid-19 in SA, as infections continue to climb. SA has registered 828,598 Covid-19 cases since March, and 22,574 deaths.

Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape was recently declared a hotspot by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who announced the introduction of stricter measures there to help mitigate the further spread of the virus.

Drivers of the second wave

Mkhize said a spike in infections in four provinces was the main cause of the second wave.

“It is important for us to highlight that four provinces, being the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are the key drivers of this new wave. We looked at the number of tests done, the positivity rate and numbers of people who are admitted at fatalities. These show an indication of an increase.”

Eastern Cape and Western Cape severely affected, but it has spread

Mkhize said the increases in the last week were in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape but have since spread to four other provinces.

“Up to the past week or so, we had an increase in the Eastern Cape and in the Western Cape. There were specific districts which were affected. Now we are indicating that the numbers are increasing to involve more provinces. As of today, the increases are shown in about six of the provinces.”

How the other provinces are doing

The minister said the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape had more new cases than other provinces. The Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West each account for just 1% of the new infections, while the Northern Cape accounts for less than 1%.

“The Western Cape has 30% of the positive cases today, followed by the Eastern Cape, which is at 24%, and KwaZulu-Natal, which is 23%, and Gauteng province at 17%.”

Superspreader events

Mkhize said the peak age is now between 15 and 19. This is believed to be chiefly from events such as the Rage Festival attended by teenagers in Ballito, KZN recently. The health department declared the event a Covid-19 “superspreader”.

“This is a new issue and this is worrying. It is believed to be due to a large number of parties involving young people drinking alcohol with no adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions, wearing no masks, and social distancing and hand sanitising not taking place.”

“Prepare for a festive season with a difference”

The minister said the festive season should be enjoyed responsibly and with caution to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

“Yes, the festive season is a time for us to relax and enjoy with our families; we now need to understand that we have a responsibility to enjoy with various restraints.

“If your enjoyment will lead to more people being infected and being admitted to hospital, it’s not a responsible way to enjoy ourselves.”