South Africa's (SA) Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an independent state agency that probes corruption and recovers stolen public funds, is investigating large-scale fraud at Tembisa Hospital, a local health facility east of Johannesburg.

The SIU says three powerful syndicates diverted over $115 million meant for healthcare. Its review of more than 2 000 procurement bundles uncovered widespread irregularities, including fake contracts, front companies, and money laundering. Senior officials in the provincial Health Department and Tembisa Hospital are accused of benefiting from these schemes, which have shaken confidence in South Africa's public health system.

The scandal is especially troubling as it's linked to the 2021 assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was a senior finance official in her provincial health Department, who had exposed suspicious tenders at the facility.

To get some thoughts on the SIU's findings and what they might mean for SA's health sector, is the country's Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.