Four different spokespersons in the Office of the Premier in KwaZulu-Natal cannot say what the work status of criminally charged director-general Nonhlanhla Mkhize presently is.

Last week, News24 contacted four spokespersons in the Office of the Premier where Mkhize works. A week later, however, no responses have been forthcoming.

Despite promises to respond to News24's simple question, "Is Mkhize back at work?", none of the spokespersons were able to say if she was back in her offices in Pietermaritzburg.

Shortly after her release from jail, where she spent three nights, Mkhize, one of the highest ranked public officials in the province, has gone to ground. 

The Office of the Premier, now led by Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has also been silent following Mkhize's arrest.

While Dube-Ncube made bold promises to be more open with the public when she took up her position as KwaZulu-Natal premier, her office has been terse when speaking publicly about Mkhize.

Dube-Ncube's office said, "We have received enquiries from the media regarding the arrest of Director General Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize in the Office of the Premier in KZN. Respectfully, at this stage, the Office of the Premier is not in a position to make any comment on the matter as it is in the hands of law enforcement authorities."

Accusations against Mkhize

Mkhize appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in the last week of August, along with three co-accused - Siphiwe Mabaso, Sthembelo Ralph Mhlanga, and Mthokozisi Pius Duze - in connection with the 2018 Mhlathuze Water procurement project.  

They all face charges of intimidation, obstructing the course of justice, and fraud after internal auditors at Mhlathuze Water uncovered illegal procurement amounting to R37-million.

Mkhize was later released on bail and KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the court had it as she had played a "minimal role" in the fraud.

Ramkisson-Kara said the municipality was required to appoint legal service providers for a three-year contract.

Duze, the suspended Mhlathuze Water CEO, and suspended Mhlathuze Water CFO Babongile Mnyandu, allegedly colluded to give Mhlanga, Thabiso Khumalo, and Mhlanga's company an unfair advantage to score the tender.

Khumalo and Mnyandu were also arrested and charged with fraud and corruption. Mnyandu was released on R60 000 bail, while Khumalo got R6 000 bail.

Mkhize and her co-accused will return to court on 6 December.