(Photo: Maroela Media/ Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch)
A 69-year-old woman briefly appeared in the Pretoria specialized commercial crime court on Thursday in connection with alleged fraud involving the national department of health.
Nokuzola Mavis Mafunda (69) and her company, Ithani Amen Edms. Ltd., which is represented by her, is facing charges of fraud amounting to more than R940 000. According to the indictment, the company was only registered with the Intellectual Property and Companies Commission (CIPC) on 22 August 2023.
Only nine days after this registration, on 31 August 2023, the company was apparently already appointed by the department to provide services for investigations in an internal disciplinary hearing.
Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), says the timeline of events raises serious questions about the appointment process.
“Two months after the appointment, on 2 November 2023, the accused presented an invoice of more than R530 000 to the Department of Health, under her own name and bank details. However, the Department did not pay it, as the company was not registered in the Central Supplier Database (CSD) as required by the National Treasury, and the supply chain management does not make payments to individuals,” says Mahanjana.
The allegations came to light after Mafunda and her co-accused were reported to the directorate for priority crime investigations (the Hawks) by a forensic investigator.
“Among those who will appear in the dock with Mafunda are high-level officials of the department, including Dr. Malixole Percival Mahlati, Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Phineas Phaswa Mamogale, Chief Financial Officer, and Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi, the Director General.”
Dr. Sandile Buthelezi (55), director-general of the Department of Health, Phineas Phaswa Mamogale (46), chief financial officer, and Malixole Mahlathi (67), deputy director-general for tertiary health and hospital services. (Photo: Provided by the Falcons)
According to Mahanjana, the company was only later registered in the required database, which made it possible for the funds to finally be paid to her.
“It is alleged that the accused registered the company on the CSD on 29 January 2025, three months after the appointment. Subsequently, total payments of more than R940 000 were made to the company from 12 February 2024 to 14 January 2025.”
Bail granted under strict conditions
The three senior officials handed themselves in at the Pretoria Central Police Station on Monday. Mafunda handed herself in at the same police station on Thursday.
“During her court appearance, the magistrate granted bail of R10 000 under strict conditions. Mafunda must be present at all her court appearances, commit no other offences, not enter the premises of the Department of Health, submit her passport, and not try to influence state witnesses.”
Mahanjana says the state has an affidavit from Capt. Clinton Leonard Arrikum, the investigating officer in the case, submitted in which it is confirmed that the accused are not a flight risk.
“The statement states that the defendants have no previous convictions or pending cases against them, that they are not considered a flight risk, and that they will not disrupt public order if they are released on bail.”
The case was adjourned until June 3 for further investigations, during which all four accused will appear in court again.