DoH suspensions only the beginning

30 September 2021

The DA has noted the suspensions of the implicated officials of the Department of Health following the publication of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report into Digital Vibes. This is only the beginning. What needs to follow are criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The 3 month delay of sitting on this report and not making it public by President Cyril Ramaphosa has effectively delayed these investigations and has served to protect those who have grave allegations leveled against them.

Tomorrow evening the DA will use the portfolio committee meeting, during which the Minister of Health and his Department will appear, to ask the relevant questions around this scandal. Most importantly we need to ensure stability in the Department during the country's biggest vaccination roll-out.

Secondly, we need to make sure that there is a clear consequence management plan for those who have been implicated and found guilty of stealing public money.

It is not surprising that last night the President doubled down and thanked Dr Zweli Mkhize for having served the country well, while this report is damning against him. The reality is, there is no good or bad ANC – it is just one party that has turned into a crime syndicate and is led by President Ramaphosa who is too weak to act.

Issued by Siviwe Gwarube, DA Shadow Minister of Health, 30 September 2021