Mkhize slams reports of vaccine ‘tussle’ between him, Ramaphosa

The Sunday Independent reported at the weekend that the president and Mkhize differed over which vaccines to procure for South Africa.

But the Department of Health has now described the reports as malicious and factually incorrect. 

“The inference that there was a ‘tussle’ between President Ramaphosa and Minister Mkhize is wholly untrue and is refuted entirely,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

“So too are the comments made by shadowy unnamed sources quoted in the article who pass fallacious remarks about the president, the health minister and government’s Covid-19 vaccine acquisition strategy.”

ALSO READ: 'Sack him’, says EFF and DA after Senzo Mchunu accused of sexual harassment

The Sunday Independent claimed Ramaphosa and Mkhize each have their preferred vaccines, namely the Johnson & Johnson and Sputnik V vaccines.

It claimed that Ramaphosa overruled Mkhize in favour of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Mkhize has disputed this, saying neither he nor the president are directly involved in the procurement of vaccines.

“Those responsible for this role are officials from the National Department of Health and National Treasury.”

Mkhize has further slammed reports that pharmaceutical company Aspen would benefit from the decision to order vaccines from Johnson & Johnson.

“No orders for vaccines will be placed with Aspen. The current agreement is being negotiated directly with Johnson & Johnson. While Aspen was contracted to supply Johnson & Johnson’s needs, it does not have a direct contract with South Africa’s government.”