A forensic audit of the Mpumulanga Health Department has recommended criminal proceedings be instituted against two Mpumalanga health department officials implicated in financial mismanagement.

KPMG recommended the department consider immediate disciplinary action against two senior officials and one former senior official implicated in financial mismanagement, and recommended that criminal proceedings be instituted against two of the officials, SABC radio news reported yesterday.

The SABC said it was in possession of the reports, which Premier Ndaweni Mahlangu had refused to make public.

Mahlangu announced on Wednesday 12 government officials – nine of them in the health department - would face a disciplinary tribunal.

These officials are believed to be of lower rank than the senior officials fingered by KPMG, according to the SABC.

The forensic audits followed a negative report on the department by the Auditor General earlier this year.

Earlier this month health MEC Sibongile Manana was moved to the sports, recreation, arts and culture portfolio.

At the same time, Riena Charles, the head of the health department, became deputy director-general in Mahlangu's office.

According to media reports, three separate investigations have uncovered massive fraud and corruption in the department.

This allegedly includes expenditure of about a third of the province's R19-million HIV/Aids budget on soccer matches, plays, prayer days and the unregistered charity of a local chief, as well as irregularities with tender procedures and the purchase of unnecessary hospital equipment.