The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, called for Premier Thami Ntuli to investigate the allegations of corruption levelled against her.

In addition, Simelane called for Members of the Provincial Legislature, particularly those from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), to write to Ntuli, the Auditor-General of South Africa, and the provincial Treasury to investigate her.

Allegations were levelled against Simelane, stating that she used her position of power as the previous chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee to secure funding for a family company in Ithala and within the government.

Simelane made the remarks at the 2025/26 financial year budget debate and vote at the provincial legislature on Tuesday. The total health budget is R56.2 billion.

In her speech, Simelane spoke of upgrades to clinics, improvements to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and interventions made to enhance service delivery within the Health Department.

Members of the MKP made scathing remarks at Simelane during the debate. Judith Gasa, MPL of the MKP, spoke of the allegations that she heard in the news that Simelane was seen at the airport with a bag full of money.

Gasa was asked to withdraw her statement because it was fake news, and she was also informed that MPLs should not come to the legislature to make such accusations.

Gasa was also concerned about contracts and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) which she labelled as politically protected plundering.

“The MEC wants us to believe that digitising the health system would improve efficiency, yet she cannot even digitise honesty in her office. Before we digitise health records, can we first digitise a list of MEC members’ families who have benefited from the health tenders?” Gasa said.

She added that MPLs were called to vote upon the health budget at a time when Simelane is facing allegations of “using proximity to benefit her family of KwaZulu-Natal provincial government funds to the tune of millions”.

“How can the legislature entrust the MEC to safeguard this substantial budget allocation. We call for a full forensic audit of all PPP arrangements in the Department of Health and the immediate suspension of any official with political links to irregular procurements,” Gasa said.

In response to Gasa, Simelane said she did not expect her (Gasa) to bring up fake news in the legislature.

“You expect an honourable member of her calibre to read to understand and follow. But I suppose this is what her party decided to send her to do. 

“We also know that there are MKP members who are benefiting from the National School Nutrition Programme. The premier must also bring them to this House. So let us be scrutinised. All of us as members will be able to be investigated by the premier,” Simelane said.

Dr Keeka, DA MPL, said he supported due process, not trial by media.

“In the event that hard evidence – which is credible, verifiable, and legally sound – emerges, we will not hesitate to act. Until then, we will not join the current claims and counter-claims and will only act on cold, hard facts,” he said.

Simelane said she is writing a detailed report on the allegations levelled against her to Ntuli and the African National Congress.

In previous reports, Ntuli said he has taken proactive measures by requesting comprehensive reports detailing all relevant facts, context, and any developments related to the allegations.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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