SIU admits “making a mistake” and withdraws allegation that government spokesman Ndabezinhle Sibiya benefited from the tender

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DURBAN – The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) admitted to making a mistake and withdrew its claim that government spokesman Ndabezinhle Sibiya benefited from Digital Vibes’ controversial tender.

The SIU associated Sibiya with the RF 150 million tender, awarded by the National Ministry of Health for the National Health Insurance (NHI) communication strategy, through a sub -treator, Sotobe Media.

Sotobe Media reportedly received potential irregular payments amounting to just over R9.7 million from Digital Vibes.

The admission of error is contained in the SIU’s additional affidavit filed on September 30, in the Johannesburg Special Court, by its senior forensic investigator, Jarendra Chunilall.

“In the table in paragraph 111, p 002-221 of the founding affidavit, it was alleged that this company was potentially related to the previous spokesperson for Dr. Zweli Mkhize (i.e. the 5th defendant) Mr. Ndabezinhle Sibiya.

“After further investigation, the SIU determined that this was not correct and that there was no relationship between Sotobe Media and Mr. Ndabezinhle Sibiya. SIU withdraws the allegation, ”the Chunilall affidavit read.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that the SIU had filed an additional affidavit, but said it could not comment further as the case was pending.

However, Sibiya was not moved by the withdrawal of the allegation.

“I remain committed to cleaning up my name. Those responsible for deceiving the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, with this poor quality work must assume the consequences, “he said.

Sibiya is suing SIU, an accountant, Arena Holdings, and the editor and printer of the Sunday Times for R500,000 in damages, for claiming he was linked to Sotobe Media, in the case between the SIU and Digital Vibes.

Sibiya seeks redress from the Special Court to declare that all of this was done without giving him the opportunity to be heard, and that it was defamatory and false.

In addition, he requests that the section of the Sunday Times article, published on July 31 and August 1 based on the SIU report, which refers to his alleged connection to Sotobe Media, be removed from the article. and its archives.

He also seeks to ensure that Arena Holdings, the editor of The Sunday Times and The Sunday Times, are banned and prevented from “publishing in any way any written, oral or graphic statement, or any article which transmits to the public or implies that Sotobe Media is a related company ”.

According to court documents filed on October 12, Sibiya wants the five respondents to be “jointly and severally” ordered to pay damages.

His alternative remedy sought is an order declaring the five respondents liable to pay damages; for the amount of damages be referred to oral evidence; and that the five respondents pay his legal fees.

Sibiya said his request arose out of the SIU’s investigation into Digital Vibes and other parties, which was pending before the Special Court and therefore he believes the court has jurisdiction to hear his request.

In court documents, Sibiya said Hesti Marcia le Roux, the forensic accountant and second defendant, on instruction from the SIU, filed an affidavit in support of a claim against several companies, including Digital Vibes.

In the Le Roux affidavit, Sotobe Media was listed as a potentially involved entity and that its director was Sithembiso Sikhumbuzo Sibiya, and that Sithembiso was Ndabezinhle Sibiya, the former spokesperson for Mkhize.

In his affidavit, Sibiya said that in August his lawyer sent a letter of request to the SIU, stating that he was “wrongly associated with Sotobe Media”.

His lawyers said it could have been avoided if the SIU had contacted him.

“I have suffered and continue to suffer damage to my reputation, both personally and officially, due to the wide dissemination of the statement binding me to a company under investigation for corruption. .

Sunday Times editor-in-chief Susan Smuts said: “We will decide on our course of action once we see the affidavit.”

Daily News

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