Xolani Khumalo
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi and his deputy Joe Phaahla have escalated allegations of inflated National Health Insurance advertising contracts to the Special Investigating Unit, the Auditor‑General, and the Public Protector.
According to News24, contracts for NHI marketing and health communications originally worth a little more than 1-thousand-rand, ballooned to a combined 182-million-rand.
The money was allegedly taken from HIV/AIDS and other essential programmes. The department says acting Director-General Nicholas Crisp is already investigating concerns around irregular staff appointments and procurement processes highlighted by both the Auditor-General and the Public Service Commission.
It says the selective leaking of documents could be an attempt by some of those facing scrutiny to influence or pre-empt the ongoing investigations.
The department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the allegations are misleading but must be tested by independent investigators.
“The department did the best to respond and even send supporting documents in order to explain the actual state of affaires. However News24 and it’s journalist have made after mind that corruption has been committed,” said Mohale.
The department says acting Director-General Nicholas Crisp is already investigating concerns around irregular staff appointments and procurement processes highlighted by both the Auditor-General and the Public Service Commission.
It says the selective leaking of documents could be an attempt by some of those facing scrutiny to influence or pre-empt the ongoing investigations.
Listen to Foster Mohale’s audio below
