SIU Digital Vibes has been made public

[FILE] President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered for the disclosure of the SIU report into Digital Vibes Photo: GCIS

What next for Zweli Mkhize? Criminal prosecution ‘could soon follow’

Zweli Mkhize now finds himself in unfamiliar territory, following the decision to jump from his ministerial position before he could be pushed.

SIU Digital Vibes has been made public

[FILE] President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered for the disclosure of the SIU report into Digital Vibes Photo: GCIS

Political campaigners are now urging the relevant authorities to secure a criminal prosecution against Zweli Mkhize, after the former Health Minister was caught up in a corruption scandal that ultimately cost him his job.

Ramaphosa slammed for praising scandal-hit minister

On Thursday, Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that Zweli Mkhize would step down from his role, rather than face the indignity of a dismissal. However, the President copped some heat for speaking of the disgraced minister in glowing terms:

“A further vacancy has arisen following the request I have received from Minister Zwelini Mkhize to allow him to step down as the Minister of Health. I am grateful to Minister Mkhize for his service, and particularly for the outstanding leadership he has provided in the face of the worst pandemic in over a century.” | Cyril Ramaphosa

What next for Zweli Mkhize?

Mkhize stated that he had been unfairly treated by the SIU during their investigation into the Digital Vibes contract, saying that they reached a predetermined outcome and carried out the review ‘with a closed mind’. He claims to be the ‘victim of an ambush’, and will now take legal action against their findings. But that’s not the only litigation that’s looming.

Philip van Staden is the FF Plus’ spokesperson on Health. He has raised the issue of a criminal prosecution, and believes that the former minister’s resignation should not protect him from further punishment. The politician argues that Mkhize’s apparent greed ‘is likely to have cost lives’ – and the party will push to hold the 65-year-old to account.

“The pressure obviously became unbearable and Mkhize decided to resign instead of enduring the embarrassment of being dismissed by the President. The FF Plus is still determined to ensure that Mkhize is duly prosecuted for his involvement in the scandal and the party will not allow his resignation to exempt him from criminal prosecution.”

“The corruption in which Mkhize is implicated deprived the state’s healthcare system of money and contributed to many healthcare workers and state hospitals not having the medical equipment and protective gear that they needed. It could very well have contributed to the loss of lives of health workers and patients. He must be brought to book.”