INLSA

KZN premier Zweli Mkhize's office denies that he played a key role in dodgy multi-million-rand deals. Photo: Gcina Ndwalane

KwaZulu-Natal premier Dr Zweli Mkhize is not a suspect in the alleged R200-million tender fraud which led to the arrest of senior government officials, his office said on Thursday.

“The Hawks have stated categorically that the premier is not a suspect,” Mkhize’s spokesperson Ndabe Sibiya said in a statement.

Sibiya said Mkhize had a meeting with senior members of the elite police unit in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday morning, where he offered his full co-operation with the investigation.

“The premier was interviewed in his capacity as former political head of the department in which the investigation is being conducted, and hence is a potential witness.”

The Sunday Times reported this week that Mkhize and ANC Northern Cape chairman John Block allegedly “played key roles in multi-million-rand deals” awarded to Cape Town firm Intaka.

Sibiya said a wrong impression had been created that Mkhize was a corrupt leader who influenced the deals.

Former KwaZulu-Natal health department head Dr Busi Nyembezi, former procurement officer Mdu Ntshangase and provincial legislature's current chief financial officer Sipho Buthelezi were arrested on August 25 in connection with the fraud.

Businessman and Uruguayan national Gaston Savoi, Fernando Praderi (also a Uruguayan), Ansano Romani, Donald Miller and Ronald Geddes, were also arrested.

They allegedly defrauded the KwaZulu-Natal health department by inflating prices of water purification equipment supplied to hospitals. The alleged crimes happened while Mkhize was the province's finance MEC.

The Hawks were not immediately available to comment. -

Sapa