Kgomotso Modise13 February 2024 | 6:55

Digital Vibes: Trial date to be set in Popo Maja corruption case

Former Department of Health Chief Director of Communications Popo Maja returns to court on Tuesday on corruption charges linked to the company being awarded a R140 million tender.

Digital Vibes: Trial date to be set in Popo Maja corruption case

Former Department of Health Chief Director of Communications Popo Maja. Picture: X/Popo_maja

JOHANNESBURG - A trial date will be set on Tuesday morning in one of the Digital Vibes corruption cases in the Commercial Crimes Court.

Former Department of Health Chief Director of Communications Popo Maja will return to court on corruption charges linked to a R140 million tender.

Maja is facing two counts of corruption for allegedly influencing the awarding of the tender to the controversial company, Digital Vibes.

Prosecutors believe that in 2019, Popo Maja was paid R15,000 by the spokesperson of former Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, who ran Digital Vibes.

At the time, Maja was one of five officials who sat on the department’s bid specification and evaluation committees when the company was awarded the tender.

On Monday, a pre-trial hearing was held between each party, and Maja is expected to make a brief appearance on Tuesday morning for the setting of the trial date.

While there are several Digital Vibes cases involving senior government officials being heard in the court, Mkhize and his associates are yet to be charged.