Pretoria – Three National Department of Health senior managers appeared briefly at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court facing charges of fraud involving more than R1 million.
The accused, 67-year-old Deputy Director General of Tertiary Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Malixole Percival Mahlati, 45-year-old Chief Financial Officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale, and 55-year-old Director General Sabelo Siyabonga Sandile Buthelezi were arrested earlier on Monday, 2 March 2026.
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National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the three accused were arrested after they handed themselves over to the Pretoria Central Police Station.
After a brief court appear the accused were each granted bail of R10 000 with conditions.
The conditions included staying away from their work premises until the conclusion of the matter and handing over their passports to the investigating officer.
They were also ordered to inform the investigating officer if they intend to travel outside Gauteng, and not to directly or indirectly contact any witnesses.
Dr. Mahlati, Mamogale, and Buthelezi are all facing two counts of fraud, involving more than R1 million, and theft.
Buthelezi is facing an additional charge of contravention of section 38 (1) (a) (11) of the Public Finance Management Act 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 department.
Both service providers were paid via the Global Fund, which 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.
A probe by members of the Hawks’ National Serious Corruption Investigations led to the arrest of the accused.
In court, the state did not oppose their release on bail.
Instead, 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.
In addition, the affidavit stated that all the accused do not pose a flight risk, and they were unlikely to 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.
