The South African National Editors’ Forum is “mourning the death of four specialist colleagues who excelled in their craft”.
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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it has filed papers with the Special Tribunal with the intention to set aside the controversial R150 million rand contract between the National Health Department and communications firm, Digital Vibes.
The controversy around the tender led to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize being placed on special leave following his alleged involvement in the contract.
The SIU has since concluded investigations into the matter and handed over the report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
SIU Spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago says they now want to recover the money paid to the company.
“We have served the papers with the tribunal with the intention to set aside the contract between the Department of Health and Digital Vibes and recover the money which is about R150 million rand that was paid to digital vibes. The papers were served as a result of the days that were given by the Tribunal when we froze the accounts of Digital Vibes and others. We were given 30 days and it expired yesterday (Friday) and that is why we served the papers.
The video below is on the SIU finalising its Digital Vibes report:
Dedani Mkhize denies recieving money from Digital Vibes
The Health Minister’s son, Dedani Mkhize, has denied that he ever received R3.8 million Digital Vibes, which had received a R150-million tender from the National Department of Health.
Dedani Mkhize is alleged to have received the cash in the form of a car and money in boxes.
The SIU says in court papers the money must be recouped and the case be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Dedani Mkhize claims he approached the SIU offering to co-operate with the investigation process but the SIU hasn’t contacted him for an interview.
He says he even offered to repay any money if it is proven that he unknowingly benefitted from an individual who received funds unlawfully from the state.
Mkhize says he had to hear in the media that the court papers were filed and that neither he nor his lawyers have been served with the court papers.
Meanwhile, the SIU has issued a statement rejecting Mkhize’s allegations of bias and lack of impartiality.
The statement says that Mkhize had made written submissions, which were thoroughly considered as part of the investigation.
“It can therefore not be true that he was not afforded an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Mkhize is cited as a respondent in the papers before the Special Tribunal and he will have a further opportunity to explain circumstances under which the money was exchanged with Ms. Tahera Mather.” Mather is one of the key individuals in the running of Digital Vibes.
The SIU says, “The outcomes of all our investigations are evidence-based. We are therefore rejecting Mr. Mkhize’s comment that we have made predetermination on the matter.
Additional report by Liela Magnus
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The founder of the Icon’s Journey Marathon Foundation, Prince Bandile Sangoni, says the charity marathon has benefitted over 800 children since its inception in 2018.
The charity idea was prompted by children who come from previously disadvantaged families cheering and running alongside the runners barefoot and in torn clothes during the Mandela Centenary marathon.
This led to the initiative called Promote Sport for Social Change.
Sangoni says, “Through sport, we can really bring much-needed social change deep in the villages where it is really needed so we are here now this year in 2021 three years later. We have already benefitted up to 800 kids since 2018, so with this initiative, we are targetting to benefit 4 000 kids, boys and girls from schools in the villages that is why we’ve got 16 runners representing seven provinces within South Africa.”
SABC News Xolani Sitshinga speaks to Sangoni about the marathon:
The post 400km Iconic Challenge under way in Bedford in the Eastern Cape appeared first on SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa’s news leader..
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Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has filed a notice of his intention to appeal the High Court ruling that upheld his suspension from the party.
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Rob Houwing weighs up the potential benefits and pitfalls to the Springbok team of the Rassie Erasmus-engineered video storm ahead of a critical second Lions Test.
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