Three senior officials from the National Department of Health appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court today on charges of fraud and theft involving more than R1 million.

Police spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Dr Malixole Mahlathi (67), deputy director-general for tertiary health and hospital services and subsequently acting head and deputy director-general for corporate services, Phineas Phaswa Mamogale (46), chief financial officer, and Dr Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi (55), director-general, were arrested by members of the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigation on 2 March.

The charges relate to the alleged improper awarding of more than R1 million to a service provider in 2023 in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. The company of one of the suspects has also been charged as the fifth juristic person as the funds were paid to that company.

The Hawks launched their investigation in April 2024.

All three accused were granted R10 000 bail each. The matter was postponed to 3 June.

A fourth suspect, identified as the service provider, and her company are yet to be arrested.

Dr Mahlathi and Dr Buthelezi were ordered to surrender their passports. All three accused are prohibited from applying for new passports, interfering with witnesses, returning to their workplace, or committing other offences while on bail. They must also inform the investigating officer of any travel within South Africa’s borders.