Contempt proceedings will, this week, be initiated against Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, who has failed to appear before Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to present evidence on an ongoing investigation.

Mhkize was subpoenaed to give evidence into the investigation relating to allegations that the Department of Health (DoH) had delayed or failed to implement recommendations from a 2017 report of the Clinical Associate National Task Team.

The Professional Association of Clinical Associates of South Africa general-secretary Sanele Ngcobo is calling for the Department of Health to implement the recommendations of the report, which was produced after the DoH established the Clinical Associate National Task Team.

The task team was briefed to review the lessons that came out of the training of over 900 clinical associates (mid-level healthcare workers that look after patients in disadvantaged or rural areas) including how these lessons are applied to the challenges faced by the health system.

The Office of the Public Protector released a statement on Thursday, explaining that Mkhize was subpoenaed three times this year to give evidence and produce documents for the investigation, but was unavailable.

A case against the Health Minister will be opened at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.

“It is critical for State functionaries to understand that compliance with our investigations is not optional. No less than the Constitution of the Republic enjoins other organs of State to support and assist the Public Protector to ensure the institution’s independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness,” said Mkhwebane.