Each day that Mkhize remains in office is a slap in the face of taxpayers – AfriForum 

3 August 2021

AfriForum today once again urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Minister Zweli Mkhize from his position as Minister of Health. AfriForum’s appeal comes after months of pressure by the organisation that it is not justified for Mkhize to be on special leave with pay. The civil rights organisation believes that Mkhize should step aside and be removed from his position.   

“According to a statement by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU), both Mkhize and his son Dedani benefited inappropriately from the government’s dealings with Digital Vibes. It is the strongest indication as yet that AfriForum’s call on President Ramaphosa to remove Mkhize from his position was spot-on,” says Johan Kruger, Head of Community Development at AfriForum.    

“AfriForum has asked that Mkhize step aside and be prosecuted, ever since the Digital Vibes scandal first came to light. President Ramaphosa’s refusal to take action against Mkhize makes him complicit in the continuing corruption within the ANC. Each day that Mkhize receives full pay while being on special leave is a slap in the face of taxpayers,” adds Kruger. 

According to Kruger, AfriForum lodged an application two weeks ago to get access to information from the SIU’s report to President Ramaphosa on the Digital Vibes saga, through the Promotion of Access to Information Act. “President Ramaphosa cannot bury his head in the sand and simply wait for this storm to pass. AfriForum will bring a court application to get access to the content of the report, if necessary. Ramaphosa should rather act vigorously and decisively to curb corruption in the ANC in order to maintain an inkling of the taxpayer’s respect,” concludes Kruger.  

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 3 August 2021