Embattled former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s associates Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha have enlisted the help of former National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shaun Abrahams.
EWN reports that the two have broken ranks with their former boss and are apparently ready to co-operate with the Special Investigations Unit.
Mather and Mitha have become the faces of the scandal after their company, Digital Vibes, was unduly paid R150m in a dodgy contract by the Health Department. The contract cost Mkhize his job and he resigned in disgrace. While the two have kept quiet thus far and done little to fight off the allegations, it is understood they do not plan to contest the SIU report on Digital Vibes. This is the report that Mkhize has taken to the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) on review. His argument is that it was unlawful that the SIU had reached predetermined conclusions in making adverse findings against him.
Abrahams confirmed he was representing the two parties implicated in the irregular tender, but refused to give further information, citing attorney-client privileges. Mather, a long-time aide to the former health minister, has been labelled the real face behind Digital Vibes. She and her immediate family are alleged to have pocketed nearly R30m from the R150m irregular communications tender, claims the report.
EWN article – Mkhize aides fight back in Digital Vibes scandal (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Mkhize continues to claim innocence on Digital Vibes allegations
Mkhize challenges 'unlawful and unconstitutional’ SIU conduct
SIU demands that Mkhize and family repay R4m