Johannesburg – South African health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize on Friday failed to appear before parliament, saying he had been advised not to do so as he would implicate himself.
This comes after the embattled health minister may have personally benefited from the scandalous R150-million Digital Vibes contract, the department quietly issued suspension letters to four officials involved in the saga.
The opposition has called on Ramaphosa to sack Mkhize, with the DA laying criminal charges in connection with the violation of the Public Finance Management Act.
The ANC’s integrity commission has also summoned him to appear before it on the Digital Vibes matter.
On Monday, it emerged that Mkhize will appear before the ANC integrity commission this week.
Commission chairperson, George Mashamba has confirmed that Mkhize wants to discuss the multi-million-rand Digital Vibes tender scandal.
On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa, said he was waiting for the outcomes of the SIU probe to make a decision.
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A source close to Ramaphosa said the president was not going to target any minister when a Cabinet reshuffle was imminent, and Mkhize was preparing a response. Ramaphosa was also weary of pushing Mkhize into the faction led by the party’s suspended general secretary Ace Magashule.
Additionally, speculation was swelling as to who would replace Mkhize if the reshuffle took place, and the names of por tfolio chairperson Sibongeseni Dhlomo and former Gauteng health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa are being touted.
Read more: Mkhize suspends top officials following Digital Vibes contract scandal
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