DA to report Minister Mkhize to Parliament’s Ethics Committee over R150m Digital Vibes scandal
8 June 2021
Note to Editors: Please find an attached soundbite by Siviwe Gwarube MP
The DA will lay a complaint with Parliament’s Ethics Committee against the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, for his role in the awarding of a multi-million rand contract to Digital Vibes.
Reports have indicated that Minister Mkhize personally signed off on the submission that contained the contract to this company ran and owned by close associates of his.
The DA is of the view that Minister Mkhize’s conduct may be in contravention Section 5.2.2 of the Code which states that a Member may “not use his or her influence as a public representative in his or her dealings with an organ of State in such a manner as to improperly advantage the direct personal or private financial or business interests of such Member or any immediate family of that Member or any business partner of that Member or the immediate family of that Member”.
In addition, section 5.2.7 states that a Member may “not lobby for any remuneration or receive any reward, benefit or gift for that Member or for the immediate family of that Member or the business partner of that Member or immediate family of that Member, for making such representation as a Member on behalf of any person or body”.
The possible contravention of Section 5 by the Minister is a serious offence and Parliament’s Ethics Committee is duty-bound to, as a matter of urgency, investigate this matter.
The Portfolio Committee on Health has failed to do its work in holding Minister Mkhize to account as the ANC has used their majority to close ranks and prevent the Minister from facing the music last week during the committee’s meeting.
The DA therefore urges the Ethics Committee to investigate this matter.
Over the past few months, the Zondo Commission of Inquiry revealed how Parliament’s lack of oversight at the height of state capture was tantamount to aiding and abetting the loot.
Parliament cannot dare to fail in this regard again and we must take our oversight responsibility seriously.
Issued by Siviwe Gwarube, DA Shadow Minister of Health, 8 June 2021
