I have just waded through the Special Investigation Unit’s report on the Digital Vibes scam, and all 114 pages of it make for pretty damning reading.
The scandal which toppled health minister Zweli Mkhize revolves around the activities of 3 Stanger-born ladies, former journalist and Blythedale resident Tahera Mather (where she still has a house), her niece Naadhira Mitha and former manager of Dawnside petrol station, Radha Hariram, used the company Digital Vibes to obtain contracts worth about R150 million from the department of health.
Although the company belonged to Hariram and it would appear that she played very little part in its activities, she is still liable.
The Hawks report that the tender process was rigged in favour of Digital Vibes.
Mather had been personal assistant to health minister Zweli Mkhize.
Instructions for Digital Vibes to get the contracts came from Mkhize and were carried out with the complicity of, or certainly without being questioned, by about 9 government officials from the director general downwards.
Mather and Mitha then embarked on a 3-year spree of invoicing outrageous amounts which the department blithely paid out without question.
Mather netted millions for companies owned by her mother, sister, son and other family members.
She bought a Land Cruiser and gave bags of money via a Cash and Carry store to Mkhize’s son with whom, the report says, she enjoyed a “abnormally close and personal relationship” that had been ongoing for many years.
They spent enormous amounts on luxury goods and holidayed overseas on the department’s ticket.
The bottom line is that the Hawks say the contracts were illegal, the R150 million must be repaid and heads will roll in the department.
Zweli Mkhize has already resigned, director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi, deputy director-general Dr Anban Pillay and other officials have been suspended and by rights life is about to become very difficult for the 3 ladies.
It is a sobering thought that this whole business might have remained hidden had it not been exposed by the Daily Maverick and journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh.
We have no reason to believe the Hawks had any prior knowledge of the fraud. That is the value of a free media.
And there are, how many, more than 40 national government departments?
Can you see similar rip-offs being repeated across some or all of them?
Then ditto across the 9 provinces? I certainly can. Who is going to stop it? Who is going to blow the whistle, especially since accountant Babita Deokoran was murdered after blowing the whistle on PPE fraud in the Gauteng health department?
Everybody who is offended by the rampant corruption in our government wants to see consequences and proof that the corrupt cannot escape with impunity.
They want to see trials and jail time, not suspensions and slaps on the wrist for ANC cadres.
Of course, there is a big difference between a Hawks report and prosecuting a criminal trial.
Strictly speaking, the Hawks report remains allegations until proven in court.
But if President Ramaphosa is serious about stamping out corruption, speedy action must be taken to prosecute the cases and bring an end to looting with no consequences. The sooner the better for the accused and society in general.
There is a saying that the rot starts at the top. That may well be true, but you and I can do little about that.
I believe, on the other hand, that we ordinary people can send a message from the bottom about how we want government to operate.
That starts with who we elect for our ward councillors and then – very importantly – measure their effectiveness and hold them responsible.
They earn a very nice salary, after all, from your and my tax money, so they are our employees.
We must expect and demand working sanitation, street lights, pothole-free roads, refuse removal, electricity supply, clean beaches and a dozen other things that we pay taxes for.
If our councillors deliver, praise them, but if they fail, denounce them.
Remember it is their choice to run for public office, so they must be prepared to shoulder the responsibility.
For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
