The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is deeply concerned by news that the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, was arrested for serious allegations of theft from the Global Fund meant for the fight against HIV/Aids, TB, and Malaria.
Dr Buthelezi was arrested along with the CFO, Phineas Mamogale, and Acting Deputy Director General of Corporate Services, Malixole Mahlathi, on Monday. The trio appeared before the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on charges of theft and fraud for stealing more than R1 million from the fund.
The three allegedly used the Global Fund money to irregularly appoint service providers to investigate and chair a disciplinary hearing against the lead implementor of the fund, Maile Ngake.
COSATU welcomes the arrests of these senior Department of Health officials and commends the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on the investigation that led to the arrests. However, instead of the arrests bringing us relief, COSATU is now worried given the department has reportedly received more than R2 billion from the Global Fund to implement HIV/Aids and TB programmes. Over and above this substantial allocation, the Department has also received almost half a billion Rand for the rollout of the much-lauded, Lenacapavir (LEN).
LEN prevents new HIV infections; but unlike other pre-exposure prophylaxis, it is injectable and administered twice a year – only. Meaning an individual who receives a jab in January will receive the next jab six months later but will be protected throughout. It is for this reason that LEN is perceived of as a gamechanger in the fight against HIV and AIDS because it will drastically reduce HIV incidents and infection rates and if successfully rolled out, bring us closer to ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV and is set to be among the first African countries to receive LEN. The procurement of LEN into South Africa is made possible through funding from the Global Fund. Rollout is planned for mid-2026.
It is for this reason that COSATU is pained to hear that the most senior health official is embroiled in the theft of funds from the Global Fund. Even more concerning, this is not the first scandal to come out of the country involving funds from this donor organisation. The Independent Development Trust (IDT)’s R836 million oxygen plant installation project, also involved Global Fund monies.
COSATU calls on the Hawks to extend their probe to ensure none of the newly received funding has been interfered with. The Federation also calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to leave no stone unturned to guarantee those guilty of siphoning off funds meant for HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria patients are prosecuted, their assets attached and made to serve their time in prison.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za