The Special Tribunal has dismissed a number of applications for leave to appeal in high profile matters including a challenge by former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s daughter-in-law who received R5 million from Digital vibes.
Special Tribunal Judge Lebogang Modiba dismissed the application on Wednesday. The tribunal previously ordered that five of the six companies be joined to the SIU’s recovery bid.
The companies identified in the appeal application are All-Out Trading (Pty) Ltd, Tusokuhle Farming (Pty) Ltd, Sithokozile Khaliphele Mkhize, Cedar Falls Properties 34 (Pty) Ltd and Sirela Trading (Pty) Ltd.
May Mkhize, the wife of former health minister Zweli Mkhize, was listed as the sole director of Cedar Falls Properties, while Tusokuhle Farming was linked to their son, Dedani Mkhize.
Sithokozile Mkhiwe, the wife of former KwaZulu-Natal premier’s son Dedanimabhunu, tried to overturn the tribunal’s ruling which added her company Azwakele Trading and Projects, her husband’s company All Out Trading and businessman Sokhela’s Sirela Trading in the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) application to review and set aside two R150 million National Health Insurance (NHI) and Covid-19 communications contracts.
Sokhela and Dedanimabhunu’s Tusokuhle Farming as well as Cedar Falls Properties 34, which is a company owned by Zweli Mkhize’s wife, also challenged the Special Tribunal’s order authorising the SIU to add the companies in its bid to have the dodgy contract reviewed and set aside for lack of compliance with the applicable constitutional regulatory provisions.
The national health department paid Digital Vibes, owned by Mkhize’s associates just over R150 million comprising of above R25 million for the NHI contract and almost R12 million for the Covid-19 deal.
Source: News24, IOL, Business Day, image from Twitter