Senior health official ‘steps aside’ after arrest on corruption charges

Dr Malixole Percy Mahlathi. Picture: X/@southafricandly A senior Department of Health official has stepped aside from his role as chairperson of the Strategic Dialogue Group (SDG) following his arrest on fraud and theft charges alongside two other top health department officials. Acting deputy director-general Dr Malixole Percy Mahlathi was arrested earlier this week, together with Department of Health director-general Sandile Buthelezi and chief financial officer Phineas Phaswa Mamogale.

The trio appeared in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on Monday in connection with fraud and theft of donor money, intended to support South Africa’s fight against HIV,tuberculosisand malaria. While all three potentially face the axe from thehealth department, Mahlathi has announced that he will step aside from one of his other leadership positions. The SDG confirmed on Friday that Mahlathi had voluntarily stepped down from his responsibilities while the legal process unfolds.

The group said the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the organisation while the matter is dealt with in court. “These developments have serious implications and an adverse impact on the SDG, considering its principled stance against corruption and crime in all their manifestations,” it said. The SDG added that it “fully upholds the rule of law as a cornerstone of South Africa’s constitutional democracy”.

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In a letter seen byThe Citizento the SDG secretary, Mahlathi confirmed his decision to be relieved of his duties while the investigation was ongoing. “I have therefore decided to stand down from my position of chairman of the Strategic Dialogue Group until this saga is over.

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