WeeklySA_AdminTRAGEDY: Discovery of unlabelled buckets containing large quantities of ARVs and other medicines has raised serious alarms, prompts investigation, alongside the probe into circumstances surrounding the crash…
By Maanda Bele
What began as a horrific road tragedy has now morphed into a pharmaceutical crime mystery. Authorities are investigating how bags packed with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and other prescription medication ended up among the wreckage of a bus that overturned on the N1 near Makhado in Limpopo on Sunday, killing 43 people and injuring 48 others.
Officials say the discovery of unlabelled buckets containing large quantities of ARVs and other medicines has raised serious alarms.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed that a probe is underway to determine whether the drugs were part of an authorised consignment or were being moved illegally across borders.
“The theft and unauthorised movement of ARVs seriously undermine our fight against HIV and AIDS,” she said during a post-Cabinet media briefing this week. “Such acts deprive patients of essential medication and compromise regional health goals.”
Under South Africa’s Medicines and Related Substances Act, it is illegal to possess or transport scheduled medicines without proper authorisation. Those found guilty face hefty fines or imprisonment.
“Section 22A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act in South Africa regulates the quantity of medicine a person can carry, which is tied to the prescription,” warns spokesperson for the National Department of Health, Foster Mohale.
“Individuals are only allowed to carry a quantity of medicine that has been prescribed for them and is required for their treatment. Carrying more medicine than prescribed is prohibited and illegal.”
Mohale explains that patients are typically issued a three-month supply of chronic medication, including ARVs, at a time.
“We urge people to avoid relying on medicine from black or street markets because such drugs can contain the wrong ingredients, insufficient active ingredients, or harmful substances not listed on the label,” he cautions. “Medication is freely accessible in all public clinics; there’s no need to risk your health with medicine sold on the street.”
The department is rolling out an electronic patient registration system designed to create unique identifiers for patients to track their medical records across facilities. The system aims to curb practices such as patients collecting medication from multiple clinics.
The bus was travelling from the Eastern Cape and reportedly carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian passengers. It has become the centre of a dual investigation, one into road safety negligence and another into what may be a cross-border drug smuggling operation.
Ntshavheni says Cabinet is deeply disturbed by the tragedy, describing it as both “preventable and unacceptable”.
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said officers at Makhado opened an inquiry docket after multiple containers suspected to contain medication were found scattered around the crash site.
“An investigation is ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of these substances,” Hadebe says. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba urged anyone with credible information or lawful ownership claims to come forward.
“You can contact the nearest police station, call SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the My SAPS app.”
Investigators are now following several leads to determine whether the ARVs were destined for an underground market or part of a broader cross-border pharmaceutical smuggling network operating in southern Africa.
Ntshavheni briefed the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held the previous day, saying the Cabinet has expressed its disappointment and shock following the discovery of SA medical supplies allegedly, destined for Zimbabwe.
MIRROR Briefs
NO LUCK FOR MONTANA
The Gauteng High Court has dismissed an appeal lodged by MK Party MP, Lucky Montana in response to the South African Receiver of Revenue’s bid to have him sequestrated.
The SARS revealed last weekend that Montana owed the revenue service just over R55 and Montana had submitted a compromise offer of approximately R5.4-million on the debt. The dispute between Montana and SARS dated back more than 10 years. According to SARS, Montana had unlawfully evaded his tax liability by under-declaring taxable income he received from various sources over the relevant periods of audit.
Within the sequestration application submitted by SARS, questions around undeclared income, the purchase of luxury cars and Montana’s properties have raised red flags. These are not the first red flags raised about Montana’s properties.
On 21 July 2025, the Court granted SARS’s application to strike out and dismissed Montana’s condonation application with costs. Montana thereafter filed an application for leave to appeal against this judgment.
The matter was heard on 17 October 2025 and the application for leave to appeal was dismissed with costs.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said : “SARS recognises that the vast majority of taxpayers are honest and willing to do the right thing by meeting their registration, filing and payment obligations. Pursuant to SARS’ mandate of collecting all the revenue due to the fiscus, we will do whatever is legally permissible to deliver on that undertaking’’. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
MKHWANAZI: O’SULLIVAN’S R10M SUIT
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan filed a R10-million counterclaim at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, against KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In his court papers, he accuses Mkhwanazi of making several false and defamatory statements against him at the Madlanga commission of Inquiry and parliamentary ad hoc committee. On September 19, during the Madlanga commission, Mkhwanazi alleged that O’Sullivan was under investigation for unspecified crimes in KwaZulu-Natal. O’Sullivan was previously linked to the Mkhwanazi accusations scandal when it emerged that he had been involved in opening dockets against crime intelligence.There were later arrests in the unit, which Mkhwanazi previously said had been targeted at imploding investigations.
In Wednesday’s proceedings in Parliament (October 08), EFF leader Julius Malema asked Mkhwanazi about O’Sullivan.Malema, who described him as “untouchable” and “a bully”, asked Mkhwanazi if O’Sullivan was a United Kingdom MI6 intelligence agent. Mkhwanazi replied that he had heard “talks” about this and claimed that O’Sullivan had citizenship in three countries, which made him “wonder”. “Is Paul O’Sullivan a clean man or an agent? This country must not sit back and be run by Paul O’Sullivan,” Mkhwanazi said.
GOVT BOSS FIRED
Former Social Development Department communicator Lumka Oliphant, has confirmed her dismissal as head of communications for the department.
In a letter dated October 17, 2025, signed by Director-General Peter Netshipale, Oliphant was informed of her immediate dismissal for violations including breaching security clearance, communication policy, gross insolence, disrespect, prejudicing the department’s administration and bringing it into disrepute. This comes after her suspension in September 2025, with the department citing irregularities flagged by the Auditor-General. However, Oliphant claimed she was suspended because the Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, believed that she had leaked information to the media about a R3 million trip that the department had spent on six delegates who were on a two-week trip to New York.
The letter to Oliphant further added that Oliphant must return all departmental assets to the individual delivering the dismissal letter.
Meanwhile Netshipale is facing disciplinary charges amid internal scandals, contract disputes and whistleblower allegations. He has been given until October 20 this year to make written representations.
Netshipale was given a five-year employment contract as DG, despite the fact that Cabinet approved his appointment for only one year. Last week, Tolashe told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee that a letter from Cabinet erroneously stated that it had approved a five-year term for Netshipale as the department’s DG. – Lehlohonolo Lehana.
FAKE SUPPLIER TO REPAY R2,4m
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a court order for the recovery of R2.4 million following a judgment declaring a multimillion rand Mpumalanga Health Department personal protective equipment (PPE) contract unlawful.
The order – granted by the Special Tribunal – directs Nozihle Construction and Projects CC to repay the money related to an April 2020 contract for the supply of 100 000 3-ply surgical masks valued at some R2.645 million.
“The tribunal found that the contract was unlawful and void because Nozihle Construction and Projects CC was not licensed as a distributor of medical devices with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, as mandatorily required by the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965’’.
The company was also ordered to pay the costs of the corruption busting unit’s counsel.
“This judgment is a critical outcome of the SIU’s relentless efforts to recover public funds lost during the COVID-19 national state of disaster. It sends a clear message that suppliers who fail to meet essential legal requirements have no entitlement to profit from the State, and the SIU will use its litigation powers to the fullest to ensure such funds are returned’’. – Sanews.
