The Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) report on the health department’s R150 million contract with Digital Vibes – a company with strong links to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s associates – is on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s desk.
On Thursday, SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed to a local publication the report was completed and handed to Ramaphosa’s office on Wednesday.
In June, Ramaphosa said the matter of Mkhize and the disturbing contract with Digital Vibes would not be swept under the carpet.
He added he, as he had done before, would act once the SIU finalized its investigation.
Ramaphosa’s office was asked for comment and it will be included once received.
According to a Sunday Times, the report found Mkhize allegedly pressured officials to appoint the company linked to his close associates, Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha.
Mkhize is on special leave pending the finalisation of the investigation into the Digital Vibes tender saga at the department.
The department initially contracted Digital Vibes for the National Health Insurance (NHI) campaign in 2019, which is when he reportedly pressured officials to appoint the agency for the R150 million communications contract.
The work was expanded to include communications on Covid-19.
The controversial communications firm scored a cool R35 million before the department approved its work.
Contravened
Both the tender and the bidding process contravened the Public Finance Management Act.
In relation to Covid-19 work, Digital Vibes received requests for work from the department before its contract expanded to include Covid-19 work.
Requests resulted in a financial commitment of approximately R35 million that the department ended up paying after the expansion was approved.
Meanwhile, the SIU has been granted an order to freeze R22 million in bank accounts linked to Digital Vibes.
The unit said it had approached the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) earlier this month with evidence.
The FIC assisted the SIU to place a hold on R22 million identified as funds that had flowed from money paid to Digital Vibes by the department.
The SIU said of the R150 million paid to the company, R25 million went towards the NHI media campaign, while the remaining R125 million was paid for work on Covid-19 projects.The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is expected to receive a briefing on the matter next week.
-The Citizen
In other news – Skeem Saam actress Pebetsi Matlaila who just gave birth slams those attacking her weight – Photo
Skeem Saam actress Pebetsi Matlaila has been on maternity leave following her pregnancy to spend some time with her newborn. Taking to social media, the actress shared a picture of how she looked 2 months ago.
She added that it took her 9 months to put on the baby weight so she is not going to subject herself to the pressures of society to lose the weight right away. She further added that such expectations are unrealistic and she will not resort to dangerous methods just to lose weight. Learn More