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The DA calls on the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to urgently implement consequence management against Health Department Director-General (DG), Dr Sandile Buthelezi, for his role in the IDT oxygen supply scandal, exposed by Minister Dean Macpherson yesterday.

The Independent Development Trust awarded Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd a contract to install the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants at 45 public hospitals, after actions of the Health Department DG, Dr Buthelezi.

The DG reportedly issued a concurrence letter to IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka, despite the Trust’s internal steering committee flagging that requirements of South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) certification and Construction Industry Development Board grading had been omitted from the final bid documents.

This action by the Health Department DG allowed Bulkeng to be awarded R428 million despite lacking the necessary infrastructure, experience, or track record to fulfil this critical healthcare contract. This is a serious consequence, directly attributable to the DG of Health.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, commissioned by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, recommended disciplinary action against the IDT CEO, and while the DA welcomes the investigations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) into this matter, the Department of Health – who appointed the IDT – must also be held accountable for its role in this scandal.

It cannot be another case where Minister Motsoaledi refuses to act when malfeasance is exposed – 4 years after whistleblower Babita Deokaran’s tragic death not a single company has been blacklisted.

Issued by Michéle Clarke MP - DA Spokesperson on Health