- Alleged syndicates acting as patients obtain medication from Mpumalanga health institutions and sell in the black market.
- Healthcare workers allege that some individuals are able to register at multiple clinics and hospitals to collect in-demand medicines such as antiretrovirals.
- Mpumalanga Health Department may have serious weaknesses in patient verification, record management and medicine control systems.
Date: 13 August 2026
Release: Immediately
The Democratic Alliance demands the Mpumalanga Department of Health investigate allegations that individuals are exploiting weaknesses in the province’s patient record systems by opening multiple files at different health facilities to obtain medication that is then being diverted and sold illegally.
During recent oversight visits, healthcare workers alleged that some individuals are able to register at multiple clinics and hospitals, collect in-demand medicines such as antibiotics, pain medication, cough syrups and antiretrovirals, and that these medicines may ultimately be diverted to the illicit market.
If these allegations are substantiated, they point to serious weaknesses in patient verification, record management and medicine control systems. The Department must urgently establish whether organised criminal syndicates are exploiting these vulnerabilities and take immediate action to close any gaps.
Any person who fraudulently obtains medication intended for patients or diverts it for illegal resale is stealing from vulnerable South Africans who rely on public healthcare.
The DA will continue to hold the Mpumalanga Department of Health accountable until these allegations are properly investigated and any perpetrators are brought to book.