DA to report Mkhize to Parliament’s ethics committee

6 October 2021

Following the release of the damning Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report into the unlawful Digital Vibes contract, the DA will be submitting an affidavit and a complaint to the Executive Ethics Committee in Parliament.

The former health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, remains a Member of Parliament, remunerated by the public, and is therefore still answerable to Parliament and by extension the people of South Africa.

Based on the SIU report, we make a case to the Executive Ethics Committee that Dr Mkhize has possibly violated Sections 2.3, 3 and 4 of the Executive Ethics Code by:

Acting in a way that is inconsistent with his position – In exerting his influence as the Executive Authority for the Department of Health to facilitate the awarding of a state contract, the conduct of the [former] Minister “was improper and at worst… unlawful”.

Using his position to enrich himself, his family and his associates – The SIU report states clearly that there is irrefutable evidence that the Digital Vibes owners were not only close associates of the former Minister but also routinely gave money to his family and made security upgrades to his home.

Failing to divulge a conflict of interest between his official responsibilities and private interests – The SIU report states clearly that there was a conflict of interest on the part of the former Minister who was not only known to the owners of Digital Vibes but had a close personal relationship with them spanning over years.

Receiving a gift which may have amounted to ‘improper influence’ and which amounted to more than R1 000 that is prescribed in the Executive Ethics Code

The Ethics Committee has an obligation to investigate this matter as a function of legislative oversight on the Executive and make a finding based on the evidence before it compiled by the SIU. There is precedent for this kind of work as was seen during the Dina Pule saga several years ago.

Parliament cannot be silent while state coffers are ransacked shamelessly. More so after the testimonies by the presiding officers of Parliament before the Zondo Commission; admitting that the legislature never exercised its duties to hold the executive to account during state capture.

Parliament can no longer be the dumping ground for failed members of the executive who will not be held accountable. We must do what the people of South Africa expect of us – be their representatives in the Houses of Parliament.

We trust that the Ethics Committee will take this complaint and the work expected of them seriously and act speedily.

Issued by Siviwe Gwarube, DA Shadow Minister of Health, 6 October 2021