The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has committed to finalising an investigation into a R150-million questionable contract awarded by the Department of Health.

According to a report by the Daily Maverick, the Department of Health paid for services linked to the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme and the government's response to Covid-19.

The contract allegedly saw around R150-million paid to a communications agency Digital Vibes for questionable services. The company is reportedly controlled by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize's former personal spokesperson, Tahera Mather, and former personal assistant, Naadhira Mitha, although the two are not listed as directors.

In February, the Daily Maverick published allegations of how Digital Vibes paid Mather and Mitha soon after the company scored an emergency R82-million contract with the health department for services related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The amount involved has since ballooned to around R150-million.

Soon after the exposé, Mkhize said the department's director-general, Sandile Buthelezi, had flagged the contract in January and advised that it be probed by an external investigator.

The contract has subsequently been suspended and is being investigated by the SIU.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the unit was still looking into the matter under the proclamation allowing the investigation of Covid-19 procurement corruption and fraud.

He added that SIU head Andy Mothibi had addressed media at an event in Cape Town on Monday and had confirmed the allegations had been brought to his attention.

Kganyago added that Mothibi had committed to concluding the investigation by the end of June.

"The investigation is at an advanced stage. We have committed to finishing it by the end of June. All other cases are expected to be completed by August, but we have committed to fast track [the Digital Vibes] investigation," he said.

On Monday, the health department stated that, as soon as a final report was available, the outcomes, findings and recommendations would be shared with members of the public.

"We wish to assure you that that commitment remains. We are also confident that the SIU continues to follow its investigation process as proclaimed," the statement read.

The department added that its earlier silence had been to ensure there was "no interference with the ongoing investigations".