Former health minister Zweli Mkhize has hit back at the Special Investigating Unit over its investigation into the Digital Vibes saga.
He claims investigators ambushed him during the questioning process and not duly informed of all the allegations made against him.
Mkhize has submitted an affidavit to the Johannesburg High Court. He has asked the court to declare the SIU’s findings unlawful and unconstitutional.
The SIU launched investigated allegations that a multi-million Rand tender was awarded to a communications company managed by Mkhize’s former associates.
The company was awarded a R150 million tender for services linked to the National Health Insurance. and later the roll-out of communications around COVID-19.
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mkhize on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation. Mkhize later resigned.
The SIU report was made public last month. It detailed who was involved in the awarding of the tender and how they benefited.
Mkhize has disputed claims that he benefited from the awarding of the tender. His affidavit states that he was not involved in the procurement process.
Mkhize says he submitted all his documents to the SIU for their investigation but was ambushed by investigators’ questions. He says he was not given context to important matters during the question process.
The former minister says he was not made aware of findings by the unit.
He claims the health department‘s former director-general, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, made allegations against him and he was not told about it.
He says the SIU relied on Buthelezi’s claims rather than inform him of them so he could respond.
The Presidency says it is aware of Mkhize’s matter. Officials say they have not been issued any legal papers.