Digital Vibes: Allegations of money laundering and corruption unfold

NEW damning evidence in the R150 million Digital Vibes unlawful National Health Insurance (NHI) and Covid-19 communications contracts case against the company, several others, and their directors, former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize and his family members, will be introduced.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

This follows the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) being given the green light by the Special Tribunal to have its third supplementary founding affidavit by one of its investigators and global professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, confirmatory affidavit admitted in the main application, in which the SIU wants two contracts awarded to Digital Vibes reviewed and set aside for lack of compliance with the applicable constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions.

According to the unit, the National Department of Health (NDoH) made payments to Digital Vibes totalling just over R150m, comprising over R25m paid for the NHI contract and about R125m for the Covid-19 media campaign contract.

The SIU’s application was unopposed by Digital Vibes and Mateta Projects, which have been accused of merely using their bank account to obscure the source of payments, separate from those made by the NDoH to Digital Vibes.

At the tribunal, the SIU stated that should the admission of the third supplementary affidavit be refused and not be admitted into evidence, crucial evidence explaining the laundering of the proceeds from the impugned contracts between the NDoH and Digital Vibes will fall by the wayside.