Department of Health nears conclusion of probe into suspended Ayanda Dakela

Star reporter

The Department of Health is finalising its investigation into Ayanda Dakela, the suspended head of Infrastructure, with outcomes expected soon. Dakela, who has been on suspension since March 2024, faces serious allegations that have attracted internal and external scrutiny. In March 2024, Director-General Dr. Sandile Buthelezi issued a suspension letter to Dakela, citing concerns over unauthorised interference with procurement processes at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), actions beyond his delegated authority, and failure to disclose critical information during his interview and appointment. The department emphasized that Dakela’s suspension aimed to prevent potential interference with the ongoing investigation. Beyond the departmental investigation, the Right to Justice NGO, led by Chairperson Siphesihle Jele, initiated criminal proceedings against Dakela in January 2025. The organization accused him of corruption related to his role in the Department of Health, advocating for the legal system to address these serious allegations. Background and Previous Concerns: Before his tenure at the Department of Health, Dakela held positions at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). His secondment to the DPWI was terminated due to breaches of internal communication protocols, including unauthorised issuance of communications on ministerial letterheads. During his involvement in the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital repairs, delays were partly attributed to officials implicated in investigations, including Dakela. Civil society organizations have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action against corruption within the Department of Health. Highlighting the severity of the allegations against Dakela and others, these groups stress the importance of transparency and accountability in public service. As the Department of Health concludes its investigation, stakeholders and the public await the findings and any subsequent actions. The case underscores ongoing efforts to address corruption and improve governance within South Africa’s public health sector. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the Gauteng Government’s outcomes from the disciplinary inquiry initiated against nine officials from the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Infrastructure Development. These officials faced charges over alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for refurbishing the Anglo Ashanti Hospital in 2022. Following the SIU’s consequence management recommendations, the Office of the Premier took disciplinary action against the implicated officials employed by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) and the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID). The SIU’s investigation uncovered evidence of financial misconduct involving several individuals from GDoH and GDID. The Gauteng Government acted on the SIU’s recommendations and charged the officials involved. The outcome were as follows: Head of Infrastructure Development: GDoH – DismissedActing Head of Department: GDID – DismissedActing Director, Health Infrastructure: GDID – DismissedActing Chief Financial Officer and Head of SCM: GDID – DismissedActing Deputy Director-General, Health Branch: GDID)-DismissedProject Manager, Infrastructure Development: GDoH – Final Written WarningActing Chief Director, Health Infrastructure: GDID – Final Written WarningProject Manager: GDID – Contract employment ended during the hearingActing Deputy Director-General, Hospital Services: GDoH- AcquittedThe evidence gathered by the SIU indicates that around March 19, 2020, the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital (AGA Hospital) refurbishment project began under the GDID on behalf of the GDoH. However, during this process, no supply chain management policies or procedures were followed when procuring service providers and contractors for the refurbishment. Furthermore, the GDoH was misled into believing that only minor renovations were needed at the AGA Hospital. This is a contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and National Treasury’s regulations, causing the GDoH to incur fruitless and wasteful for goods and services supplied. The SIU was mandated through Proclamation No. R. 23 of 2020 to investigate the affairs of all State institutions regarding procurement or contracting for goods, works, and services during or in respect of the National State of Disaster by or on behalf of State institutions. The disciplinary actions show that state institutions are acting on the results of the SIU investigation and implementing the consequences to hold officials implicated to account, recover assets and financial losses incurred by these institutions, and prevent further losses. We urge all state institutions to take decisive action to clean up our government and state entities from the corruption that has plagued them.