Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said he would welcome Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the ARV tender if the Health Portfolio Committee chose to request one.
IOL reports that this comes after EFF MP Naledi Chirwa suggested that the committee recommend the SIU to probe the tender amid suspected irregularities.
“We want the SIU come in and investigate after so many red flag and these guys got the tender,” she said in reference to the awarding of the tender to Barrs Pharmaceuticals Industries and Innovata Pharmaceuticals, which were placed on business rescue in December 2025.
Chirwa said the two companies, owned by Avacare Health subsidiaries, were awarded the tender despite not having financial capacity.
She also said the Public Finance Management Act required companies bidding for state contracts to show financial capacity, but it was not the case with the two companies.
“This tender process must be started afresh,” said Chirwa.
Motsoaledi said he would abide by the decision of the committee if it decided on the issue of recommending the SIU to probe the ARV tender.di.
Earlier, Motsoaledi told parliamentarians that due diligence was assured during the bid evaluation process through the assessment of all bidders against the requirements specified in the conditions applicable to the tender.
He noted that there was a belief among MPs and the media that the department should have examined the balance sheet of the companies to see if they had enough money.
“The belief is that we could have avoided the companies' undergoing business rescue. As far as I remember, there has been no tender issued by the Department of Health where we examine the balance sheet of a particular company.”
Chirwa also referred to a company named Hetero, which was reported to the Competition Commission for alleged collusion.
The company has bought Barrs and will take over the supply portion of the company placed under business rescue.
“That must raise a valid question about how the department missed this. The Minister must come up with tangible responses to how these things happened under their watch,” she added.
Motsoaledi insisted that he did not get involved in tenders.
However, he noted Chirwa posted on social media X that he and Director-General Sandile Buthelezi have eaten something and they must vomit it, a move he viewed as a suggestion of corruption.
“I would like to state it clearly in front of this committee. I will be very happy if you call the SIU or the Hawks to investigate the tender. I will be very happy because I also want my name to be cleared.”
IOL – Minister challenges committee to investigate ARV tender irregularities