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Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize. Image: GCIS
NEWS
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has denied allegations that he received money from controversial businessman Edwin Sodi.
In a statement released by his office on Friday, Mkhize said he had received several inquiries from the media after the allegations were made this week when Sodi appeared on the Zondo commission.
During his testimony, Sodi revealed that his company, Blackhead Consulting, had made various payments to ANC and government officials between 2013 and 2019.
“I wish to state categorically that I have never received funds from Sodi, either personally or through third parties intended for my personal benefit. I can confirm that during my tenure as General Treasurer of the ANC, Sodi, like many other entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations, made donations to the ANC. In fact, when I took over as general treasurer, Sodi’s contacts were available in the ANC’s donor database as one of the people who had previously donated to the ANC.
“This database was compiled and maintained by the finance office through various public fundraising events held by the ANC. This is how we get in touch with people or companies and invite them to our events, ”said Mkhize.
This offensive sensationalism can only be a sideshow to tarnish my name and in no way adds value to the work that law enforcement agencies are doing.
Zweli Mkhize
In addition, he confirmed that during his tenure as general treasurer of the ANC, Sodi, either directly or through his entities, made the following donations to the ANC (this information has been verified with the ANC’s finance office):
. 3 million rand on February 28, 2014
. 3.5 million rand on April 3, 2014
. 1.5 million rand on September 29, 2015
. R150 000 on January 8, 2016
During his testimony, Sodi said that ANC officials who received payments from him included Zizi Kodwa, Thulas Nxesi, Pinky Kekana, Paul Mashatile, and Mkhize.
Read: The ‘dubious’ firm allegedly paid Zizi Kodwa 180,000 rand
The payments were made while Sodi’s company had won government contracts worth millions of rand.
On Thursday, Labor and Employment Minister Nxesi pledged his full cooperation with law enforcement agencies and the state’s capture investigation on a R 45,000 payment Sodi made for “disadvantaged” schoolchildren upon request. hers.
Nxesi insisted that this did not amount to gratification, as he personally had not benefited from it and Sodi had received nothing from the minister in return.
Nxesi said there were no personal relationships between him and the children for whom he had enlisted Sodi’s help.
At the time the ANC received these donations, I was the general treasurer, with the specific function of raising funds for my organization.
Zweli Mkhize
The minister, however, did not explain how he knew Sodi and why he had approached him for help.
“I have tried to clarify this matter with the Zondo commission and assured them of my support for their work. I have also pledged my full support and any additional information you may require, ”he said.
“I would like to state categorically that I have nothing to hide and that I will assist the law enforcement agencies charged with investigating this matter.”
On Friday, Mkhize said that aside from having recognized Sodi as a donor to the ANC during his tenure as general treasurer, he had no personal, professional or business relationship with him.
“I have also noticed the nonsensical statement from the DA that they will inform Parliament about these donations made to the ANC. In the process of doing so, it would help the DA try to properly understand the rules of Parliament.
“At the time the ANC received these donations, I was the general treasurer, with the specific role of raising funds for my organization. I was not a member of Parliament, and in any case, I did not directly benefit from Sodi’s donations. Therefore, there is no parliamentary requirement for me to declare all donations the ANC received during my tenure as general treasurer, ”Mkhize said.
Read: Now arrest and accuse ANC bigwigs too
He added that it is worth mentioning that where illegality and misconduct have been found, law enforcement agencies should investigate.
“I, for my part, make a serious objection to the insinuations, irresponsible and false comments made by some that I personally received money from Sodi. This offensive sensationalism can only be a sideshow to tarnish my name and in no way adds value to the work that law enforcement agencies are doing, ”Mkhize said.
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