Pretoria – Director General of the Department of Health, Dr. Sandile Buthelezi, who is out on RR10 000 bail for alleged fraud involving about one million rand, has been placed on precautionary suspension.
Announcing the move on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said “after receiving delegations from the President,” he put Dr. Buthelezi on “precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised or until his contract comes to an end, whichever comes first”.
Earlier this month, on 2 March 2026, 55-year-old Dr. Buthelezi and his co-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, were arrested and brought before the court facing fraud charges.
The Minister has also placed Mahlati on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised, or until the expiry of his contract, whichever comes first.
The Chief Financial Officer, Mamogale, has also been placed on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised.
“Minister Motsoaledi would like to allow the law to take its course. All officials affected by the decision have been formally notified of their suspensions,” the department said.
“In the meantime, the Minister has appointed the Deputy Director General for National Health Insurance, Prof Nicolas Crisp, as acting Director General for a period of three months.
“Minister Motsoaledi would like to assure the stakeholders and public that the department will continue to function optimally according to its mandate.”
