Following a report in the Sunday Times today, the Premier of the province of KwaZulu-Natal Dr Zweli Mkhize wishes to state that, unfortunately, for reasons known by the newspaper, they chose to ignore the crucial aspects of his response to this matter.
The premier takes serious exception to the newspaper's suggestion that "he played a key role in a scandal".
From the word go, the newspaper prejudged the issue even before they were given factual responses. We also hold a view that this borders along defaming Dr Mkhize.
An impression has been created in an effort to project Dr Mkhize as a corrupt politician who influenced the "multi-million rand deals awarded to Cape Town firm Intaka".
This despite having stated in our response that in Cabinet there was a mention of a particular supplier but there was no Cabinet decision that other suppliers should be excluded, nor did the letter to the then MEC for Local Government MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu suggests that if there were other suppliers they cannot be given attention.
We stated in our response that Dr Mkhize had neither discussion nor contact with Intaka and Savoi. They have never met and have no relationship.
The provincial Cabinet facilitates socio-economic development programmes intended to benefit the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Mkhize therefore denies in the strongest terms suggestions that he was involved in the facilitation of a fraudulent deal and categorically denies any wrongdoing on his part.
At the level at which Dr Zweli Mkhize participated, there is no fraud and he denies any negligence.
I have attached a full response to the Sunday Times enquiry for ease reference.
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
Dr Zweli Mkhize responds to Sunday Times
Province
