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Top health officials Anban Pillay and Popo Maja received a final written warning for their involvement in Digital Vibes scandal. PHOTO: Facebook/thebulrushes.com

Top Health Department officials face punishment for Digital Vibes scandal

The three top officials at the Department of Health did not receive any transactions despite being implicated in the Digital Vibes scandal.

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Top health officials Anban Pillay and Popo Maja received a final written warning for their involvement in Digital Vibes scandal. PHOTO: Facebook/thebulrushes.com

Top officials at the Department of Health are facing punishment for their involvement in the Digital Vibes tender scandal.

This after it was found that former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize received a small back-pay for awarding the multimillion rand tender to communications company, Digital Vibes. Mkhize resigned from his cabinet position since, as it came out the Digital Vibes is owned by his close associates.

But among those implicated were Health Acting Director General Dr Anban Pillay, long-term spokesperson Popo Maja and chief of staff Shireen Pardesi.

ALSO READ: Digital Vibes: SIU wins fight to go after suspects linked to Mkhize family

HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S OFFICIALS IMPLICATED

The Health Department conducted a disciplinary hearing on the three officials. This is based on the outcomes of the Special Investigating Unit into the irregular Digital Vibes contract.

Three officials, Pillay, Maja and Pardesi were found to be implicated.

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Chief of Staff at the health department opted to resign with immediate effect following the disciplinary hearing. PHOTO: Facebook

In the disciplinary hearing report from the presiding officers, the following was found: Dr Anban Pillay faced four charges and was found guilty on one charge.

Popo Maja also faced four charges and was found guilty on two of the charges. Shireen Pardesi was facing two charges and was found guilty on one charge.

ALSO READ: Digital Vibes: Health DG Sandile Buthelezi CLEARED in R150m probe

DEPARTMENT DISCIPLINES OFFICIALS INVOLVED

The Health Department, through the office of the State Attorney in the Department of Justice, appointed by an independent senior counsel presided over the disciplinary hearing, said health spokesperson Foster Mohale.

Sanctions against the three officials will be imposed, Mohale explained.

Pillay will receive a final written warning, valid for 15 months. He will also be suspended for three months without pay, which will be followed by a salary level demotion for 12 months.

“Popo Maja shall receive a final written warning valid for 12 months and salary level demotion for a period of 12 months.”

Foster Mohale

Pardesi however proposed to resign from the department with immediate effect. This decision was agreed by all parties including the presiding officer, said Mohale.

“As part of consultation, the presiding officer requested the Department of Health… to make submissions into possible sanctions and allowed the legal representatives of the employees to make representations on mitigating factors, and also allowed the parties to share notes where possible,” he said.

ALSO READ: SIU to oppose Mkhize’s Digital Vibes court action

The evidence, findings and representations made were considered by the presiding officer.

“He also considered the fact that all those charged were first time offenders, and there was no evidence led that suggests that they benefitted from the transactions,” Mohale said.