Zweli Mkhize’s son hits back at SIU over Digital Vibes report

Zweli Mkhize’s son, Dedanimabhunu Mkhize, says he is concerned and disappointed in the manner in which the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has dealt with him following its investigations in the Digital Vibes and Department of Health contract saga. Mkhize implied that the SIU report relies on media reports and not a tested legal process.

Both father and son have reportedly been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to consider charging them for corruption over “suspicious” payments they received from Digital Vibes. They are believed to be listed among 20 people to whom Digital Vibes paid R90m of the R150m the company received from their contract with the department of health, which the SIU contends was unlawful, invalid, and has to be set aside.

MKHIZE ACUSSES SIU OF BIASNESS ON DIGITAL VIBES SCANDAL

In a statement issued on Facebook, Dedanimabhunu said to say that the SIU’s dealings have been nothing short of unprofessional and biased would be an under statement. “As an example, I categorically deny ever receiving R3.8 million and the submission in the SIU’s court papers is false.”

According to the SIU, Zweli Mkhize received R6,720 from Digital Vibes, allegedly for maintenance at a Bryanston property, while his son received R3.8m. These monies allegedly amount to undue gratification as there is no evidence that they did any work for Digital Vibes.

“From the outset, when my alleged involvement in the debacle was cited, I voluntarily approached the SIU with the assistance of an attorney offering my availability to co-operate with the investigation process. I also informed them of an affidavit I had already deposed dealing with the allegations that had been made in the media. In that same affidavit, I made an offer that if it is proven that I may have unknowingly benefitted from an individual who had received funds unlawfully from the state, I would be willing to pay such monies back,” Mkhize said.

Dedanimabhunu also added that the SIU did acknowledge receipt of his attorneys correspondence and affidavit.

“I have never received word or engagement from the SIU since that correspondence. To date, no contact has ever been made with me. I have never been interviewed and no further information was requested. I am inclined to believe that the SIU has already made a predetermination on the matter. I have waited to be called to an interview by the SIU and nothing has been forthcoming.

“I am shocked to say the least that the SIU has not yet bothered to serve me or my lawyers with the court papers it has decided to file. I have had to learn through a media article of all the goings of an investigation I am supposedly a part of and their efforts to recover R3,8 million that I have never ever received!

“I have nothing to hide and would appeal to the SIU to solicit my response to its investigations – it’s the correct thing to do. The credibility and independence of this institution should be maintained if we are to uphold the values of our democracy and constitution. In my view I am being presumed guilty without trial.”

Dedani Mkhize

READ: Digital Vibes latest: ‘I am entangled in a saga I know nothing of’