Mkhize ‘cannot be trusted’ with vaccine procurement following tender claims – EFF

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s immediate suspension following recent claims of tender irregularities.

‘FAMILY FRIEND OF MKHIZE ALLEGEDLY BENEFITS FROM TENDER’

The Daily Maverick recently reported that a long time “friend” and spokesperson to the minister allegedly benefitted from a contract that was awarded by the Department of Health. 

According to the publication, a communications company from KwaZulu-Natal — Digital Vibes — appointed two close associates of Mkhize as paid consultants after it secured a communications contract from the DoH — one of them being Tahera Mather. 

The publication alleged that in a period of just nine months, the firm obtained orders from the DoH for COVID-19 projects valued at more than R82 million.

READ: Mkhize in the spotlight after ‘family friend’ allegedly scores DoH contract

EFF SAYS THE HEALTH MINISTER CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED 

The EFF, in a statement on Thursday, said it notes with “utter disappointment” that Mkhize’s family friend and long-time personal spokesperson Tahera Mather, pocketed COVID-19 money as paid consultants through the irregular closed communication contracts from the Department of Health. 

“Tahera Mather’s relationship with Dr Mkhize dates back to 1990s when he was MEC for Health in KZN. It is alleged that this company was appointed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health,” it said. 

“The PPE fraud saga has now extended to COVID-19 money laundering and this time with the Minister as close associate to those that are benefitting from COVID-19 pandemic debacle in South Africa. The issue of the middleman in the procurement of vaccines which has been echoed by the EFF is now exposed and many more vaccine irregularities will be exposed,” it added. 

The party said Mkhize is leading the vaccine procurement nationally and globally too, and as such, he cannot be trusted in the process.

“The EFF will write to the Minister to demand full explanation and accountability. We shall ensure he is suspended with immediate effect to allow a smooth process of investigation,” it added. 

According to reports, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is probing the allegations against Mkhize and the Health Department. The South African reached out to SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyango for further comment, however, there was no response at the time of publication. 

The South African also reached out to the Department of Health on multiple occasions regarding the claims, however, there has been no response.