The Health Department has referred allegations of inflated NHI advertising contracts to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and the Public Protector, insisting that independent investigators test claims of diverted funds. The referral follows a report which alleged that advertising contracts had ballooned from as little as R1,620 to R146m, in the process draining money from HIV/AIDS and other essential health programmes.
The department rejects the allegations as misleading stating that they are "ridiculous in the extreme", and that Government does not issue tenders for such small amounts.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla backed the call for investigations, saying the allegations unfairly sought to tie them personally to corruption.
The Department framed the episode against a wider backdrop of sensitivity to corruption, heightened by scandals such as the Tembisa Hospital looting.
“Separately, acting director-general Nicholas Crisp has been probing irregular staff appointments and procurement flagged by AGSA and the Public Service Commission. “The Department suggested some individuals under investigation might be taking "pre-emptive action" by leaking selective documents and questioned the motives of some self-styled whistleblowers. – The Citizen (29 September 2026)