Digital Vibes: Ramaphosa leaves Mkhize’s fate with authorities

President Cyril Ramaphosa is leaving the fate of former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize in the hands of the relevant authorities for his role in the Digital Vibes scandal.

Ramaphosa held a media briefing on Wednesday evening, 29 September 2021, reflecting on the ANC manifesto, which he presented just days prior.

It came hours after his office released the damning Special Investigating Unit’s report into the R150 million Digital Vibes contract, which led to Ramaphosa placing Mkhize on special leave.

Some of the shocking revelations from the report include that the now-disgraced ex-minister pushed for the lucrative tender to be awarded to the company, which was run by two of his associates (Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha). The full report can be accessed from the Presidency website.

Ramaphosa on Zweli Mkhize’s resignation

President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced criticism for not acting firmly against Dr Zweli Mkhize – but now says Mkhize will have the relevant agencies to deal with.

“On the political morality issue, we condemn all activities of malfeasance and that is a fact. His (Mkhize’s) resignation from government was, in my view, you may not like this word, honourable on his part when he realised that there was no other way in which we could go forward and he then decided to resign,” he said.

What many, including political parties, have taken issue with, is why Ramaphosa chose to meet with Mkhize hours before his Cabinet reshuffle instead of just firing him. Mkhize announced after the meeting that he was resigning and would be taking the SIU report on review.

“My acceptance of his resignation should tell you exactly the approach and the stance that I am determined to take in all these matters. I accepted his resignation and the matter has now to be dealt with through other processes and other agencies and institutions that the former minister of health has to contend with,”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

The release of the SIU report into Digital Vibes also comes nearly a week after the Department of Health’s Director-General Dr Sandile Buthelezi was placed on suspension, for his alleged role in the saga.