Presidency calls for speedy implementation of SIU recommendations regarding Digital Vibes contract

The Presidency says the Department of Health must work with the necessary speed to resolve and implement all of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) recommendations regarding the Digital Vibes contract.

The SIU report published by the Presidency found that the Department of Health’s Acting Director-General, Dr Anban Pillay, fraudulently asked for a deviation of the Public Finance Management Act when Digital Vibes was awarded a communications contract worth over R150 million.

Former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, who has since resigned, also illegally pressured health officials to award his associate, Tahera Mather the contract.

The SIU also recommends action against Digital Vibes and is seeking to recover the R150-million rand from the company.

After authorising the release of the report, the Presidency called on government departments and state institutions to act on its recommendations.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson is Tyrone Seale, “I think what we expect is to see departments and institutions act on the referrals made by the SIU in all the places they have referred to. So it will be the case that people may still be in a position in the administration but this report contains referrals by the SIU of actions that should be taken against people with substantial evidence. So I think our expectations are that all departments will look at this report, the referrals and act on what the SIU is recommending.”

The Presidency published the report on its website this morning:

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Kenneth Jacobs, says he will write to the Health Minister to arrange for a briefing on the SIU’s report into Digital Vibes. Jacobs says MPs want to know the department’s plan of action. He says the committee welcomes the report.

Dr Jacob on the SIU’s report: