Hawks arrest health officials over alleged R1m fraud

National Health’s Director-General Sandile Buthelezi, chief financial officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale and Deputy Director-General for tertiary health and hospital services Dr Malixole Mahlathi have been arrested by the Hawks and charged with fraud and theft in connection with the alleged misuse of Global Fund resources. – Business Day (3 March 2026) Each of the three accused faces two counts of fraud of more than R1m and one count of theft. Buthelezi, who was suspended in 2021 during the Digital Vibes scandal and was later reinstated after disciplinary proceedings, faces an extra charge under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). “This fraud case involving the Global Fund puts additional pressure on a sector already struggling with governance issues.”

High Court orders Banxso’s final liquidation

On 2 March the High Court ordered that the online trading platform Banxso be placed under final liquidation, reported Daily Maverick (3 March 2026).

‘Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Government’s NHI situation room’

If Government had its way it would be left alone to press its NHI solution on the public over the coming 10, 20 or 30 years, wrote Gareth Stokes in Straight Talk (FA News 20 Feb 2026) Meanwhile, the cost of NHI has not been computed by Government, leaving private sector think tanks to come up with estimates of anything from R200 billion up to more than R1 trillion per year

Hawks arrest health officials over alleged Rm fraud

Hawks arrest health officials over alleged Rm fraud Three officials from the National Department of Health have been arrested by the Hawks in an investigation into alleged fraud and theft involving over R1m in public funds in 2023, reported IOl (2 March 2026) The accused include senior government officials, service providers and private individuals. “It is further alleged that certain service providers rendered substandard services, some were paid despite not performing any work, and in some instances were allegedly paid more than once for the same services.”

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