Mkhize facing criminal charge over Digital Vibes
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid a criminal charge against Health Minister Zweli Mkhize after a communications contract awarded by his department was found to be irregular.
KZN-based Digital Vibes scored a R150 million tender when the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
READ: Multi-million rand tender awarded to Digital Vibes was irregular: Mkhize
The company is understood to be run by Mkhize's former personal assistant and his former personal spokesperson.
Mkhize says he didn't personally benefit from the contract.
DA Shadow Minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube says if Mkhize signed off on the submission that contained the contract, then he contravened the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act.
READ: Ramaphosa: I will deal with Mkhize's Digital Vibes scandal
She says they've also opened a case against the department's director-general Sandile Buthelezi.
"We understand that the PFMA makes it very clear that the DG is the only accounting officer in the department and only he could sign off contracts which relate to public spending and therefore of the DG was aware that there was political influence in the awarding of this contract he should have reported this to Treasury as the Act makes it clear."
