The police continue to investigate corruption cases that have been filed since the pandemic began. President Cyril Ramaphosa had promised to treat all these cases related to the coronavirus in a “serious and appropriate” way, but the latest case that talks about it is embarrassing one of the leaders in the fight against the pandemic, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.
as reported from Johannesburg, Claire Bargelès
The police’s special investigation unit is very interested in a contract awarded by the Ministry of Health to the company “Digital Vibes”. In 2019, this authority would handle the ministry’s communication on the universal project for health coverage. Subsequently, the contract was extended to handle communication about the pandemic.
In addition, part of the EUR 9 million paid out would have benefited two acquaintances from the Minister of Health, namely his former assistant and his former spokesman. Zweli Mkhize admits that the file is stained with “irregularities”, but confirms that they have not been close to these previous partners and did not directly affect money on these contracts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa wants to wait for the delivery of the police report at the end of the month before any decision is made. The act is part of a set of investigations, which have been carried out since the start of the pandemic, into various fraudulent contracts, for a total of more than 800 million euros.
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