The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (HSACF) has recovered R11.8 million in cash and assets and prevented losses exceeding R6 billion, marking significant progress in its ongoing efforts to tackle fraud and maladministration in South Africa’s health sector.

The HSACF held its quarterly meeting on June 27, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders including law enforcement agencies, government departments, civil society, and private sector representatives to assess progress in combating corruption.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that the HSACF reaffirmed the importance of a collaborative ‘whole-of-society’ approach to combat corruption, involving civil society, the private sector, and public institutions. This aligns with the National Development Plan’s vision of a corruption-free South Africa.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, reported on the status of 106 cases. Of these, 21 are currently under investigation, two are on the court roll, and 69 await decisions from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). These cases involve approximately R3 billion.

The SIU shared that it had prevented losses exceeding R6 billion, including R3.1 billion in actual losses and R1.6 billion in potential losses through referrals to provincial health departments.

“The SIU also identified 54 fraudulent medico-legal claims and closed 97 investigations, referring cases worth R689 million to the Legal Practice Council, R279 million to the Legal Practitioners’ Fidelity Fund, and R412 million to the NPA for further action,” said Kganyago.

Providing updates on its efforts, the NPA indicated that it had “enrolled 125 cases, finalised 83, and is pursuing 32 cases still on the court roll” stemming from SIU referrals under Proclamation 23 of 2020, which addresses COVID-19-related corruption.

Meanwhile, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) revealed ongoing investigations into various medical schemes, including governance concerns at Foodmed Medical Scheme, irregularities in multivitamin schemes at GEMS and Polmed, overcharging at Optivest Health Services, and compliance breaches at Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme.

“The forum emphasised the need for continued vigilance, stronger preventive measures, and swift prosecution to eliminate fraud and maladministration in the health sector.” Kganyago added.

The HSACF will continue to meet quarterly and remains committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that progress reports are communicated to relevant oversight bodies and the public.

IOL News

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