By STAFF REPORTER
2 March 2026- Three National Department of Health (NDoH) senior managers, The Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Dr Malixole Percival Mahlati (67), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Phineas Phaswa Mamogale (45) and the Director General, Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi (55), briefly appeared at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. They were each granted bail of R10 000 with conditions that they should not be allowed at their work premises until the conclusion of the matter, hand over their passports to the investigating officer, inform the investigating officer when intending to travel outside Gauteng and not to directly or indirectly contact any witnesses.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said they are all facing two counts of fraud worth more than R1 million and theft. Mahanjana said Buthelezi is facing an additional charge of contravention of Section 38 (1) (a) (11) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) of No.1 of 1999.
“It is alleged that between 30 August 2023 and 28 September 2023 the three accused acted in common purpose and irregularly appointed two service providers, Ithani Amen (PTY) Ltd and N Mbileni J Tohlang-Nkopane Inc in a labour related matter. Ithani Amen was appointed as an independent investigator and N Mbileni J Tohlang-Nkopane as chairperson for a disciplinary hearing held against the suspended Chief Director of Labour Relations at the NDoH.
“Both service providers were paid via the Global Fund, aimed to assist the department in training and relief in outbreaks. The accused were reported by the Forensic Investigator to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. After investigations by members of the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigations the three accused were arrested after they handed themselves over to the Pretoria Central Police station on 02 March 2026,” she said.
Mahanjana further said in court the state did not oppose their release on bail. She added that the state submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Captain Clinton Leonard Arrikum, stating that the accused have no previous convictions or pending matters against them, that they do not pose a flight risk and that they will not disturb the public order when released on bail.
“The magistrate found that it was in the interest of justice that the trio be granted bail. The case was postponed to 3 June 2026 for further investigations,” said Mahanjana.
The Guardian 