Faizel Patel – 03/06/2021

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

Political analyst Dr Oscar van Heerden says President Cyril Ramaphosa may be disappointed with Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize regarding the Digital Vibes scandal.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is investigating allegations involving two of Mkhize’s close associates and a R150 million, irregular contract between Digital Vibes and the Health Department which was money meant for the Covid-19 communication relief

As Mkhize battles the claims, the African National Congress (ANC) integrity commission chairperson George Mashamba now wants the Health Minister to appear before the commission.

While many see Ramaphosa and Mkhize as allies, other say the president possibly regards the health minister as a threat because he challenged him with his own campaign for the presidency of the ANC in 2017.

Dr van Heerden says Ramaphosa may not be overly concerned about who is going to challenge him with regards to the next term in the party.

“I do think that he together with Minister Mkhize has managed the COVID-19 pandemic so well and then to now have this dumped on his lap. I think that the President is obviously quite disappointed and when he says he’s giving the matter due consideration, I think that he is anticipating that with regards to the overwhelming evidence that is coming out of the woodworks.”

Dr van Heerden says Mkhize may remain in office as long as it takes the SIU to charge him.

“You don’t want to say to a minister look we thinks there’s credibility here. Another example is the MEC Masuku in Gauteng. The premier was quick to act and did the right thing. Now all those pundits that were saying surely he must step aside, there seems to impropriety. After investigations by the SIU as well as internally by the provincial government as well as the ANC, he was found to be completely innocent and now he is out of a job.”

Ramaphosa says Mkhize was “cooperating fully”  and that the process must take its course, after which he would know what needed to be done.

Listen to the interview with Dr Oscar van Heerden