The director-general of the Department of Health, Dr Sandile Buthelezi (55), along with chief financial officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale (46) and deputy director-general for tertiary health and hospital services Malixole Mahlathi (67), were taken into custody on Monday as part of an ongoing probe into alleged theft and fraud within the department. Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa confirmed the arrests, noting that the Hawks were handling the investigation and that no additional details would be disclosed at this time.
Col Katlego Mogale, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that all three officials appeared before the Pretoria commercial crime court on Monday, where they each received bail of R10 000. Their case has been postponed to 3 June. Under their bail conditions, the accused are prohibited from making contact with state witnesses, applying for new passports, or entering their offices. They must also notify the investigating officer of any intended travel, Mogale said.
The allegations against the trio relate to an investigation launched in April 2024, following claims that the officials had unlawfully channelled more than R1 million to a service provider approximately a year prior. A fourth suspect in the matter remains at large, while the company that received the funds is expected to be cited as the fifth accused.
Mnukwa stressed that the government regards the battle against corruption as a key priority in its pursuit of a safer, more ethical South Africa free from graft. She linked the development to President Cyril Ramaphosa's state of the nation address earlier this year, in which he called for intensified action against organised crime and entrenched corruption, describing them as serious threats to both democracy and economic stability.
The office of Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged that the minister was aware of the arrests and court proceedings involving the three officials. However, a statement from his office indicated that Dr Motsoaledi had not yet been fully briefed on the circumstances of the matter. "Once the minister has been fully informed, he will issue a further statement," the statement read, adding: "At this stage, all we can say is that, regardless of the circumstances, the law must take its course."
