Civil society demands probe after allegations funds for HIV, TB and child nutrition were reprioritised

Civil-society organisations have called for an independent investigation after allegations emerged that funds earmarked for HIV/Aids, TB, STI prevention and child-nutrition programmes may have been redirected to other health spending, including marketing and communications contracts. The claims remain allegations and have not been proven.

Calls for transparency and an independent probe

Lindiwe Mahlangu, a health expert and member of the Positive Women Network, urged transparency and an independent inquiry into the allocations, saying civil society wants to know where allocated money went and what effect any diversion or reprioritisation had on services.

Themba Godi, leader of the African People’s Convention and former chair of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts, warned that moving funds after budgets were approved could indicate poor planning and harm service delivery. He called for officials involved and companies awarded contracts to be scrutinised.

Parliamentary oversight and department response

Faith Muthambi, chair of Parliament’s health portfolio committee, said the allegations raised concerns about public-resource management and oversight, and that the committee would continue its oversight work.

Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the matter was being referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the auditor-general and the public protector.

Investigations and referrals: ongoing

Reporting indicates the SIU had confirmed receiving a referral from the department the previous day concerning alleged irregularities related to NHI spending. However, SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the unit had not yet received a formal referral from the department.

The coverage of related reporting by other outlets has highlighted sizeable marketing and public-relations contracts that prompted calls for investigation. Daily Maverick reported a total of R182 million in such NHI communications contracts and named KMTV and Dots Design in its reporting; News24 has also reported on these marketing and communications contracts. These contract figures are reported by those outlets and form part of the corroborating coverage.

Allegations not proven

All parties speaking publicly have described these matters as alleged irregularities or concerns that require scrutiny. Investigations and referrals are ongoing, and the claims must be treated as unproven until verified by the relevant investigative bodies.

What happens next

• Parliament’s health portfolio committee will continue oversight work, according to its chair.
• The department has said it is referring the matter to the SIU, the auditor-general and the public protector.
• The SIU has acknowledged related reporting but said it had not yet received a formal departmental referral, per its spokesperson.

Reporting on this matter is developing. The details in this article are based on statements from civil-society representatives, parliamentary figures, the health department and SIU spokespersons, and on corroborating reporting by other outlets; they should be read as allegations and reports rather than findings.