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Despite being arrested by the Hawks on corruption, fraud and theft allegations, the DA is appalled to reveal that senior Health officials will still earn millions in annual salaries while their disciplinaries make little progress.

Director General, Dr Sandile Buthelezi; Deputy Director General, Dr Percy Mahlati; and CFO, Phaswa Mamogale were arrested for involvement in the irregular R428m Bulkeng oxygen plant tender, which was approved despite glaring red flags.

It is completely unacceptable that those who betray South Africans still get to sit at home and continue to eat from hardworking taxpayers while the Department makes little to no progress on holding them accountable. Our Health system is on its knees because of individuals like these.

Buthelezi will still earn R2.6m, Mahlati will still earn R2.1m, while Mamogale will continue to earn R1.8m.

Before the Portfolio Committee on Health, Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, promised that disciplinary proceedings would conclude by 10 May 2026. Yet, no dates have been scheduled, nor have timelines been established for the internal disciplinary hearings of the suspended senior officials, casting doubt on the Minister's promise. We will hold him to account on his promise.

South Africans struggle from pillar to post to make ends meet, and there must be no place whatsoever for malfeasance and corruption.

By law, only the President can hire or fire Director Generals, and the DA will write to the President to ensure the disciplinary process faces no delays.

While our Health Department is still being actively looted, this is yet another illustration of NHI being completely untenable. The DA maintains our stance that NHI be scrapped.

Issued by Michéle Clarke MP - DA Spokesperson on Health