(Archive photo: Maroela Media)
Three officials from the Department of Health were arrested on Monday following an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud in the department.
According to acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa, the Hawks are investigating the matter and “no further details are being released at this stage”.
The three are 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.
Col. Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Falcons, says the three have already appeared in the Pretoria commercial crime court on Monday on charges of theft and fraud. Bail of R10 000 each was granted to them and the case against them was postponed until 3 June.
As part of their bail conditions, the three may not interfere with any state witnesses or apply for new passports. They were forbidden access to their offices and had to inform the investigating officer if they wanted to travel somewhere, says Mogale.
The charges against them stem from an investigation that was already started in April 2024 following allegations that a year earlier they allegedly illegally allocated more than R1 million to a service provider.
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, in court on Monday. (Photo: Provided)
The fourth suspect involved has yet to be apprehended. The company to which the money was transferred will be named as the fifth defendant.
Mnukwa says the fight against corruption remains a top priority for the government as part of its commitment to building a safer, ethical and corruption-free South Africa.
“This development is consistent with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address this year, where he emphasized the need to intensify efforts against organized crime and systemic corruption, and identified them as important threats to democracy and economic stability,” says Mnukwa.
The office of dr. Aaron Motsoalei, the minister of health, meanwhile said he was aware of the arrest and court appearance of the three officials.
“At this stage, the minister is still in the dark about the circumstances surrounding the arrests. Once the minister has been fully informed, he will issue a (further) statement,” reads a statement from his office.
“At this stage, all we can say is that, regardless of the circumstances, the law must take its course.”