Suspended presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has allegedly struggled to get former presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko to answer questions relating to fresh Digital Vibes allegations against her.
The SIU, in a report that was initially sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa in July, had found that Digital Vibes, the controversial communications company that received an allegedly irregular R132-million contract from the national health department, had doled out about R90.4-million to politically connected people, including R1-million to Royal Bhaca.
Now the M&G has established that there are fresh allegations that R1-million paid to Royal Bhaca made its way to Diko, which has required the SIU to reopen the Digital Vibes investigation.
Sources close to the probe have revealed that the SIU has been in contact with Diko and asked her to respond to the new allegations.
“There is some pressure to finalise this investigation. It has to be wrapped up soon and we need her to respond to the evidence we have,” said one SIU source.
It is also understood that there has been communication from the SIU to the presidency to ask for assistance in this regard.
When questions were put to Diko by the Mail & Guardian, she said she had noted that “your publication is developing a pattern of publishing information which is not objectively verifiable. Kindly provide me with details of how and when the SIU attempted to reach me, so that I may be in a position to respond.”
Further questions — regarding the investigation and whether the SIU would finalise its probe regarding her involvement and not communicate with her — were put to her but she has not responded to them.
The M&G reported on Monday, 15 November, that Diko faced new allegations that she benefited from the R1-million, which was initially deposited into the account of Royal Bhaca Projects, a company owned by her late husband, Thandisizwe Diko.
On Monday 15 November, the SIU released a statement denying it had sent a letter to the presidency. However the investigative unit confirmed on Friday 19 November that there was an investigation.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said: “We are not going to respond to your questions as the investigation is still ongoing and this [has the] potential of jeopardising the investigation.”
Acting presidency spokesperson Tyrone Seale referred all questions to the SIU.
Diko was axed from her job in the presidency, having first been placed on precautionary suspension for months pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into her conduct. In September, the presidency announced that it had completed the disciplinary process regarding Diko’s failure to disclose her interests in certain companies, as required by public service regulations on the disclosure of financial interests.
“Following the disciplinary process, Diko has been served with a written warning for this offence. The action taken by the presidency management was in compliance with a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit that Diko be disciplined for her failure to disclose certain interests,” Seale said in a statement.
Diko, who went on “special leave” in July 2020, enjoys a chief director-level salary estimated at about R1.3-million a year. She was paid more than R500 000 while on special leave.
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