The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the Presidency to obtain access to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the Minster of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize’s involvement in the Digital Vibes corruption scandal.
Two weeks ago, the Presidency confirmed that the report had been delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa by the SIU.
The DA then called on the President to immediately make the full, unredacted report public.
DA spokesperson on Health Siviwe Gwarube says the President appears to be hesitant to act on this report.
“His inaction is preventing South Africa from having a permanent Health Minister and Minister Mkhize remains on perpetual special leave,” said Gwarube.
Gwarube says President Ramaphosa is merely stalling to do what is right and dismiss Minister Mkhize with immediate effect.
“President Ramaphosa’s inability to make difficult and ethical decisions will cost us dearly during a time of great crisis like this. “
“The President needs to clean up his Cabinet and appoint a permanent Minister of Health who is capable and beyond reproach,” she added.
The DA believes that the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic will never be won if we have a Health Minister who is on perpetual special leave and an Acting Health Minister who is juggling two portfolios.
“The SIU report must be made public and all those implicated in this theft of public money must face the full might of the law.”