President must act now on health minister

THE time has come for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be decisive by releasing the long-awaited SIU report into allegations of corruption involving Digital Vibes and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The SIU conducted its investigation and handed the report to the president early this month. The Presidency subsequently confirmed receiving the document, and promised “to keep the public abreast of developments in this matter”. Four weeks later, we are still waiting.

Make no mistake, the public healthcare sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. The third wave of the coronavirus is claiming thousands of lives and the government’s vaccination drive is not operating at full throttle. It is puzzling why Ramaphosa has allowed the Health Department to continue to operate with an interim minister, who happens to have her own responsibilities, when the department is facing serious challenges.

Ramaphosa needs to do one of two things. He should either return Mkhize to the Department of Health to continue with his duties, or reshuffle his Cabinet and announce the appointment of a permanent minister to take the department forward.

His actions should be guided by the findings of the SIU investigation that he is apparently determined to keep under wraps. The waiting game is over, and the country can ill afford to be without a permanent minister of health when we are facing the biggest health crisis in modern history.

Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as the biggest hindrance to the government’s efforts to ensure that the country reaches herd immunity. Dealing with the fear of getting the jab and providing an effective response to social media misinformation is one of the most critical campaigns that should be embarked upon.

That is where the role of the minister of health is going to be absolutely essential. Vaccinating more than 70% of the population will give us the protection we need against this deadly virus. Ramaphosa should put aside political considerations, and make the right decision.

Only the dead have seen the end of war.

PLATO