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Vice President David Mabuza. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
- David Mabuza declined to comment on the allegations about Zweli Mkhize and a dubious Covid-19 contract.
- He said his comment is the same as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s.
- Mkhize previously welcomed a SIU investigation into the allegations.
Vice President David Mabuza declined to speak regarding allegations that people linked to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize benefited from a R82 million Covid-19 communications tender.
Mabuza explained to the National Assembly on Wednesday that the government took steps to prevent corruption in its Covid-19 vaccination program.
DA MP Geordin Hill-Lewis referred to the recent Daily Maverick report that an obscure communications company, Digital Vibes, with former personal spokesperson and friend of Mkhize’s family, Tahera Mather, and his former private secretary, Naadhira Mitha As paid consultants, they landed an irregular contract. communications contract of the Department of Health.
The contract, for work related to the pandemic, was worth 82 million rand.
On Wednesday, the Daily Maverick reported further on the matter, revealing that two more people with ties to Mkhize, Yenzi Sokhela, a former employee of Mkhize’s Ikusasa Le Afrika Foundation, and Welcome Mthethwa, husband of former ANC member Makhosazana Mthethwa, were joined Digital Vibes. in 2020 after the award of the tender.
Mkhize, addressing the National Council of Provinces last month, said that its director general, Sandile Buthelezi, marked the contract and suggested that an outside investigator be appointed.
Mkhize has welcomed the investigation of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
Ramaphosa, in an engagement with the South African National Publishers Forum last month, said he had discussed the matter with Mkhize.
The president said he was pleased that Mkhize welcomed the SIU investigation.
READ | SIU To Investigate R82m Health Tender After Zweli Mkhize Associates Allegedly Linked To The Deal
Hill-Lewis said public support for the government’s vaccine launch plan was “critically undermined” by such revelations.
“Would you give the country and this House the assurance that you will take these accusations extremely seriously? Can you tell us what you are doing, as Vice President, to investigate it and give us the assurance that, if there is any truth to these accusations, the Will minister be removed from office immediately? ”asked Hill-Lewis.
“Remember, I’m vice president, I work in the president’s office,” Mabuza replied.
“Once a president responds on an issue, that is the presidency’s response. So, I will choose not to comment on an issue that the president has commented on. Because the president’s comment is my comment,” Mabuza said.
“That’s passing the buck,” Hill-Lewis grumbled, but Mabuza continued calmly.
He said Mkhize had spoken with the president, it was explained, and that the SIU was “about it.”
“So we leave it at that, until this investigative unit comes up with a finding, then we’ll take it from there. That’s the answer the president gave, I’m just repeating that answer.”
He then suggested that Hill-Lewis present whatever information he might have to the SIU.
“It can help, because we should all try to help in this case.”
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