Pretoria: Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has placed the department's Director-General, Dr. Sandile Buthelezi, on precautionary suspension. Buthelezi, along with Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Malixole Percival Mahlati, and Chief Financial Officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale, was arrested and appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria last week.
According to South African Government News Agency, the three officials face charges of fraud and theft related to the allegedly irregular appointment of two service providers at the department. Buthelezi also faces an additional charge of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The Health Minister's decision to suspend Buthelezi followed delegations from the President. Dr. Percy Mahlati, the Deputy Director General for Hospital Services, Tertiary Health Services, and Human Resource Development, has also been placed on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised or until the expiry of his contract, whichever comes first. The Chief Financial Officer, Phaswa Mamogale, faces a similar suspension until the resolution of his cases.
Dr. Buthelezi's suspension will last until his cases are concluded or until his contract expires, whichever is sooner. Minister Motsoaledi emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold and confirmed that all affected officials have been formally notified of their suspensions.
In response to the suspensions, Minister Motsoaledi has appointed Prof. Nicolas Crisp, the Deputy Director General for National Health Insurance, as acting Director-General for a period of three months. The Minister reassured stakeholders and the public that the department would continue to operate according to its mandate.