South Africa: senior officials involved in corruption investigation

Senior officials in the South African government have been implicated in a corruption allegation over the awarding of a multi-million-dollar coronavirus contract.

Former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who resigned last month, denied knowing his close friends were involved in a company called Digital Vibes.

The business was employed to educate the public about the virus.

Reports by investigators say some of the money from the tender was used to renovate the former minister’s private property. His son also bought a car and withdrew close to $20,000.

South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit recommended that the president take action against Mr Mkhize, who denied the allegations.

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The investigators also recommended that the health ministry’s former director general, Anban Pillay, be criminally charged with financial misconduct, BBC News reports.