Pretoria: Three senior Department of Health officials, including the department’s Director-General, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria after being arrested on Monday. They were granted bail of R10,000 each, facing charges of fraud worth more than R1 million and theft.

According to South African Government News Agency, the officials involved are Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services Dr. Malixole Percival Mahlati, Chief Financial Officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale, and the Director-General, Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi. Buthelezi also faces an additional charge of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

The allegations state that between 30 August 2023 and 28 September 2023, the three accused acted in common purpose and irregularly appointed two service providers, Ithani Amen (PTY) Ltd and N Mbileni J Tohlang-Nkopane Inc, in a labour-related matter. These service providers were paid via the Global Fund, which aimed to assist the department in training and relief in outbreaks, as stated by National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.

The officials were reported by the Forensic Investigator to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) and were arrested after handing themselves over to the Pretoria Central Police station on 2 March 2026. In court, the State did not oppose their release on bail, citing an affidavit from Investigating Officer Captain Clinton Leonard Arrikum, which noted that the accused have no previous convictions or pending matters and do not pose a flight risk.

The case has been postponed to June for further investigations. Meanwhile, the Department of Health indicated that Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi is aware of the arrests and is awaiting further briefing before issuing a detailed statement. “For now, all the Minister can say is that whatever the circumstances, the law must take its course,” the department stated.