The Special Investigating Unit has recommended that Dr Anban Pillay be criminally charged for financial misconduct following an investigation into the irregular R150 million Digital Vibes deal with the Health Department. According to the  SIU this is in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.

It further noted that Pillay who was the acting director-general of the department at the time had effectively lied to Treasury.

In its report the SIU says Pillay made numerous material intentional misrepresentations to Treasury in an attempt to obtain belated approval to deviate from normal procurement procedures. It concludes that the evidence indicates that he committed fraud in this regard.

The department initially contracted Digital Vibes for the National Health Insurance campaign in 2019, which was when the then Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reportedly pressured officials to appoint the company for the contract.

The work was later expanded to include communication on Covid-19. The firm scored R35 million before the department approved its work.

The SIU’s findings are in the public domain after President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the release of the full report.

SIU REPORT

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.radio786.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Presidential-Report.30-June-2021-Digital-Vibes.pdf” title=”Presidential Report.30 June 2021 Digital Vibes”]

[Picture: World Health Organisation]