Minister challenges committee to investigate ARV tender irregularities

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told MPs that due diligence was conducted in the awarding of the ARV tender. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi challenged the Health Portfolio Committee on Wednesday to take a resolution that will recommend the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the ARV tender. This comes after EFF MP Naledi Chirwa suggested that the committee recommend the SIU to probe the tender amid suspected irregularities.

“We are of the idea this is another corruption ploy under play by people involved at political level,” said Chirwa. “We want the SIU come in and investigate after so many red flag and these guys got the tender,” she said in reference to the awarding of the tender to Barrs Pharmaceuticals Industries and Innovata Pharmaceuticals, which were placed on business rescue in December 2025. Chirwa said the two companies, owned by Avacare Health subsidiaries, were awarded the tender despite not having financial capacity.

She also said the Public Finance Management Act required companies bidding for state contracts to show financial capacity, but it was not the case with the two companies. “This tender process must be started afresh,” said Chirwa. Motsoaledi said he would abide by the decision of the committee if it decided on the issue of recommending the SIU to probe the ARV tender.

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“If you say bring the SIU, I welcome it with two hands. l will be the happiest person if that is done because there is an insinuation that I might have anything to do with it,” he said. “We depend on your resolution and will accept whatever you resolve,” added Motsoaledi.

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