SIU Digital Vibes Zweli Mkhize COVID-19 vaccinated

Zweli Mkhize steps aside over the Digital Vibes tender contract: Photo: GCIS / Twitter

SIU to oppose Mkhize’s Digital Vibes court action

‘The SIU is also seeking the repayment of amounts received by a number of respondents’ – SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago

SIU Digital Vibes Zweli Mkhize COVID-19 vaccinated

Zweli Mkhize steps aside over the Digital Vibes tender contract: Photo: GCIS / Twitter

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) intends to oppose a review application of the Digital Vibes Report that former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has filed in the Pretoria High Court, the unit announced on Wednesday.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that the unit had noted the court application for a review of the findings and recommendations of the SIU Report relating to investigations into the Digital Vibes communication tender awarded by the National Department of Health.

“The SIU received review application papers on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 and will oppose the matter,” he said.

The process is subject to the High Court Rules. 

In line with the High Court Rules the SIU has time until 9 November 2021 to file a Notice of Intention to Oppose and the SIU will only be required to file its answering or opposing affidavit 30 days after Mkhize has had an opportunity to consider the proposed Rule 35 Record and has decided whether he would like to supplement his papers. 

“The Review Application by Dr. Mkhize does not suspend the implementation of the SIU Report. On 29 July 2021, the SIU instituted civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal under Case No. KN 03/2021 to review and set aside the Digital Vibes contracts with the NDOH,” Kganyago  said.

The SIU is also seeking the repayment of amounts received by a number of Respondents, including a total amount of R 22 million that was already frozen by means of a Tribunal Orde that was obtained on 17 June 2021,” he said.

One of the Respondents that received money from Digital Vibes contract paid back R11,542,710 in August. 

He added that during a case management meeting the Special Tribunal had “made it clear that the SIU review proceedings will continue uninterrupted” by the then proposed review application and that if Mkhize wanted to try to stay the SIU Review proceedings, then he would be required to apply for a stay of the proceedings, which the unit would oppose. 

“As the matter is now pending in the high court, the SIU will not be making further public statements or comments on the matter,” he said.

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