Fed up with and frustrated by the state’s tardiness in laying criminal charges against the suspended head of infrastructure at the National Department of Health, civil society organisation Right to Justice is to pursue a private prosecution against Ayanda Dakela.
This follows more than a year of suspension and serious allegations of misconduct against the official, but without any formal criminal accountability – and while multiple Health Department staff have been arrested and dismissed recently for procurement-related misconduct, Dakela has remained uncharged, leading to renewed calls for justice.
Right to Justice told The Star it was meeting the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to request a ‘nolle prosequi’ certificate, which if granted, would allow the NGO to proceed with criminal charges against Dakela independently of the state.
“Health officials are being charged left and right,” said Siphesihle Jele, chairperson of Right to Justice. “Yet Dakela, who has been implicated in serious allegations, is still walking free. He was suspended more than a year ago, but we’ve seen no meaningful action since then. It’s time to stop waiting for the state to do the right thing.”
Dakela was suspended in March 2024 by Health director-general Dr Sandile Buthelezi, who in a letter cited breaches of procurement protocols at the Independent Development Trust (IDT), acting beyond his delegated authority and failure to disclose critical information during his hiring process.
Dakela was previously with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and was seconded to the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI).
His secondment was abruptly terminated by the-then Minister Patricia de Lille, who accused him of overstepping boundaries and issuing unauthorised communications on official letterhead.
Despite the allegations, Dakela maintains his innocence.
In a previous written response to The Star, he claimed he was targeted for rejecting a questionable procurement deal. “I simply did my job and drafted a technical directive when asked. But because I refused to support irregular procurement, I was punished.”
He also disputes the legal basis for his suspension, saying his secondment was terminated without charges being laid in accordance with labour laws.
The Department of Health told The Star that Dakela’s matter “has not been concluded” and that “the evidence will speak for itself”.
Broader crackdown
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently concluded its inquiry into nine senior officials from the Gauteng Department of Health and Department of Infrastructure Development, leading to multiple dismissals over irregularities in the R500m refurbishment of the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in 2022.
The SIU found that supply chain policies were bypassed and misleading information was given to justify massive expenditures. In total, five officials were dismissed, while others received final warnings or had their contracts terminated.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
DoH: R200m to repair KZN healthcare facilities and Charlotte Maxeke repairs expedited
Officials fired for Anglo Ashanti Hospital fraud and corruption
DA: Freeze expenditure and recover R500m unlawfully spent on Anglo Ashanti Hospital