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)
The DA believes the arrest of the most senior official in the Department of Health over a corruption allegation shows that the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme will not work in South Africa.
“This would become the biggest source of corruption in decades,” says Michelle Clarke, the DA’s spokesperson on health.
“Although the DA welcomes the arrest of the Department of Health’s Director General (DG), Dr. Sandile Buthelezi, by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks), we are deeply concerned about what this means for the culture within the department.”
Clarke says the Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, remains obliged to dr. placing Buthelezi on preventive suspension while the investigation continues. According to her, it is necessary to protect the department’s credibility and public trust in the process.
The DA rejects Motsoaledi’s statement that he is “in the dark about the arrest”. “He is the responsible political head and his DG was arrested by the Hawks. A suspension is the least he can and should do. Where there is smoke, there is fire.”
In a recent answer to a parliamentary question from the DA, Minister Dean Macpherson confirmed that the forensic investigation into the Bulkeng oxygen plant tender will now also examine the role of officials in the Department of Health. It includes dr. Buthelezi in, who reportedly approved the project despite concerns about missing regulatory and compliance requirements.
“Corruption in the health sector has real consequences for patients and health professionals. When public money is misused, hospitals suffer, services are delayed and ordinary South Africans pay the price – even with their lives. The NHS will not be able to work under a Department of Health like this.”