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.”