Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has announced that her office will institute contempt proceedings against beleaguered Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria.
In a statement on Thursday (3 June), Mkhwebane said Mkhize had failed to honour there subpoenas from her office.
Mkhize ‘failed to present himself’
The subpoenas required him to give evidence and produce documents related to an investigation into allegations of “undue delay and/or failure by the National Department of Health to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Clinical Associate National Task Team 2017.”
“Subpoena notices were served on Dr Mkhize on February 4 for his appearance before the Public Protector on March 18, on April 21 for May 7, and again on May 24 for June 1,” Mkhwebane’s office said.
“He failed to present himself on all three occasions, with his office advising each time that he was unavailable.”
Mkhwebane said according to the Public Protector Act, a person who refuses or fails to comply with a Public Protector subpoena without just cause is guilty of an offence.
If convicted, such a person could face a fine of up to R40,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both.
“It is critical for state functionaries to understand that compliance with our investigations is not optional,” Mkhwebane said.
“No less than the Constitution of the Republic enjoins other organs of state to support and assist the public protector to ensure the institution’s independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness.”
Digital Vibes scandal
Mkhize already faces pressure to resign following corruption allegations involving a R150 million communications contract his Department awarded a company called Digital Vibes.
According to Daily Maverick reports, Digital Vibes is controlled by two former associates of the Minister – his former spokesperson Tahera Mather and former personal assistant Naadhira Mitha.
Mkhize has denied wrongdoing, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the public to wait for a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation to conclude before he determines the next course of action.