EFF wants SIU to probe Health Department’s tenders for ARV drugs

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the Health Department’s tenders for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

The party said it does not trust the process followed in 2025 after two of the seven pharmaceutical companies awarded with contracts applied for business rescue in December - the same month in which they were expected to start supplying the drugs.

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Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi has welcomed the call by EFF member of Parliament (MP) Naledi Chirwa, saying while he does not get involved in procurement processes, he would like to prove he’s not involved in any corrupt dealings.

Motsoaledi said it’s unfortunate the Digital Vibes scandal involving former Minister Zweli Mkhize has sullied the Health Department’s tender processes.

He has assured Parliament’s portfolio committee that he’s not been involved in any of the department’s procurement processes.

“I can confirm there are no brown envelopes, as far as I’m concerned. I can tell you with no equivocation that if that happens, it won’t be pointing to me.”

But Chirwa said officials must be held accountable for not exercising due diligence over the ARV tender process by selecting companies that were on the brink of bankruptcy.

“There has to be much more that the department is answerable to the committee in relation to how this process unfolded. It can’t just be that this is it.”

The department’s chief procurement director, Khadija Jamaloodien, said both the companies in question are now out of business rescue and the department has not been found wanting by the Auditor General in the procurement of any of its pharmaceuticals.