No-one has been suspended yet, says Health Department
The National Department of Health says Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has not placed any official of the department on suspension.
This comes after reports that Mkhize has suspended some officials for their alleged involvement in tender processes.
The calls have been mounting for the minister to step aside amid the irregular awarding of a R150 million contract to Digital Vibes communications company.
The deal had initially focused on the National Health Insurance scheme, but was later expanded last year to include Covid-19 communications work for the department.
Digital Vibes is accused of inflating prices, doing work that the department could do internally and allegedly paying for personal costs incurred by Mkhize and his son.
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A forensic investigation requested by the department, has confirmed that irregular and wasteful expenditure was involved in the contract to provide communication services to the department.
In a statement attributed to Director-General Sandile Buthelezi, the department says the Minister is not involved in the administrative functions of the department.
“As indicated on previous occasions the Director-General, as the Accounting Officer of the Department, is dealing with all investigations relating to the Digital Vibes matter working with the Special Investigation Unit. The Director-General is also working on the implementation of the recommendations from investigations,” says Buthelezi in a statement.
Buthelezi vowed to ensure that the recommendations of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) are fully implemented once the final report has been completed and handed over to the department and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“At this stage, the Department does not wish to compromise any of the processes that are underway and those that may be implemented in future by divulging the identity of implicated individuals. It should also be noted that the Minister has not been involved in any of the investigations or the decisions to implement any of the recommendations to avoid compromising the status of the investigations that are underway.
The Minister and Department of Health remain committed to cooperating with all current and any future investigations in this matter,” says Buthelezi.
