Probe extended to three Health Department officials in R800m oxygen plant tender

Parliamentary responses have confirmed an expanded forensic probe into the controversial R800 million Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant tender, now implicating three officials from the Department of Health. The extension follows a request from Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and was announced by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson in response to questions from EFF MP Moshome Patrick Motubatse.

Scope of the extended investigation

Minister Macpherson said he had directed the relevant division in his department to widen the scope of a forensic investigation into allegations of “serious maladministration, fraud and corruption” around the tender, which was managed by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on behalf of the health department.

The extension will “examine the role played by the Department of Health officials in the awards of these tenders,” Macpherson said, adding that the probe “will examine the roles and conduct of all Department of Health officials who participated in the awarding of the tenders.”

Who is being investigated and how the probe is being run

Macpherson confirmed that three officials have been identified (implicated) so far, but cautioned that “this figure is preliminary and may change as the investigation progresses towards conclusion.” He also noted that these officials are not under his department’s jurisdiction and that the investigation is proceeding through consultations and after receiving the necessary go-ahead from Motsoaledi and his support staff.

Allegations identified to date

The minister said the allegations so far broadly refer to non-compliance with procurement processes, deficiencies in oversight and accountability, and weaknesses in governance and record-keeping practices.

Timeline and outstanding work

Macpherson gave an anticipated timeline for completion of the extended probe as mid-June 2026, but said this remains subject to the availability of outstanding documentation and the completion of remaining interviews.

Background: earlier audit and questions in Parliament

An initial investigation by audit firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) into the tender uncovered irregularities in the IDT’s contract-awarding practices and implicated several IDT officials. That inquiry did not focus on the role of health department officials.

Macpherson told Parliament that PWC had interviewed Department of Health Director-General Sandile Buthelezi but “they did not make any recommendations about him.” The extension to PWC’s probe was requested by Motsoaledi to include all health department officials involved in the matter.

Consequence management

Motsoaledi said that “consequence management for health officials will be guided by the recommendations that will be provided in the report, which is awaited from the DPWI.”

“The focus of the extension is to examine the role played by the Department of Health officials in the awards of these tenders,” Macpherson said.

The investigation remains ongoing.