Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Health Michele Clarke revealed on Wednesday that the party has written to the Ministers of Health and Police asking if charges have been filed against Dr Anban Pillay.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the Digital Vibes scandal recommended that Pillay be criminally prosecuted for financial misconduct.

The DA says if charges have not been laid the party will open a case against Pillay.

Last week, the health department announced that Pillay and Popo Maja have each been handed a "salary level demotion" for 12 months and have both received a final written warning. Pillay has also been suspended for three months without pay.

“Dr Pillay’s punishment of a final written warning valid for 15 months, suspension without pay for three months, and a salary level demotion for 12 months for the four charges against him of which he was found guilty of one, is hardly sufficient for the irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R152-million,” said Clarke.

She noted that Pillay’s current punishment does not fit the crime, and said it sends the message that there are no consequences for collusion or corruption.

“While the South African public were suffering through losing loved ones, unemployment and wondering where their next meal would come from, the African National Congress government and their comrades were living large on taxpayers’ expense. We all deserve to see justice for this travesty,” she said.