Former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s bid to vie for a leadership position at the ANC’s elective conference in December has been dealt a blow, with law enforcement authorities in the late stages of an investigation that could lead to criminal charges, reports BusinessLIVE.
Any criminal charges brought against Mkhize are likely to derail his ambitions of being elected to the ANC’s top six during the party’s conference in about six months’ time, when Ramaphosa, who has staked his presidency on cleaning up the ANC image in the wake of devastating disclosures in the Zondo commission into state capture, is seeking a second term.
Mkhize, a key player and former premier in KwaZulu-Natal, has been using his time out of the government to organise a political comeback. In February, TimesLIVE reported that one of the biggest regions in the province would campaign for him to challenge Ramaphosa for the ANC’s presidency in December.
Before the scandal, Mkhize’s star was rising in the party and the country after he won acclaim as health minister for SA’s initial response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Criminal charges would trigger the ANC’s step-aside rule, which has sidelined others such as suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule. Mkhize would be expected to resign as a member of the national executive committee and be disqualified from standing for any position at the ANC’s national conference in December.
Mkhize resigned in August 2021 having been under pressure over a R150m government contract irregularly awarded to Digital Vibes, from which family members are said to have benefited. While he has not been criminally charged yet, he was implicated by the SIU and in October, launched a review application against its report.
BusinessLIVE reports it has been informed that Mkhize understands law enforcement agencies are finalising a case against him. “We are investigating the case against Mkhize in relation to the Digital Vibes matter,” said Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo, spokesperson for the Hawks. She would not divulge details.
Business Day PressReader article – Criminal charges pursued against Mkhize (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Parliament’s Ethics Committee lets Zweli Mkhize off the SIU hook
Deokaran murder: Prosecutor says Zweli Mkhize either ‘potential witness or suspect’
Digital Vibes: Mkhize aides said to be ready to co-operate with SIU