The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday that while it welcomes the arrest of the Department of Health (DoH) director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi by the Hawks, it is “deeply concerned” about the culture at the department.

On Monday, the DoH confirmed that three senior officials were arrested in an ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud of over R1-million in public funds.

DA spokesperson on Health Michelle Clarke said the arrests demonstrated that the National Health Insurance scheme would not work in South Africa.

“It would become the biggest pot of corruption feeding in decades,” she stated, and added that Monday’s arrests do not free Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi from his obligation to place Buthelezi on precautionary suspension while the investigation continues, to protect the credibility of the department and maintain public trust in the process.

Buthelezi was placed on precautionary suspension in September 2021 regarding his alleged role in the R150-million Digital Vibes tender saga.

The DA said it rejected Motsoaledi’s statement that he is “in the dark about the arrest”.

“… he is the responsible political head, and his DG has been arrested by the Hawks. A suspension is the least he can and should do,” said Clarke.

In a recent response to a DA parliamentary question, Minister Dean Macpherson confirmed that the forensic investigation into the Bulkeng oxygen plant tender would now also examine the role of DoH officials, including Buthelezi, who allegedly approved the project despite concerns being raised about missing regulatory and compliance requirements.

The party pointed out that corruption in the health sector had real consequences for patients and healthcare workers.

“When public money is misused, hospitals suffer, services are delayed, and ordinary South Africans are left paying the price with their very lives. The NHI will not work under a DoH like this,” said the party.