The North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has suspended the department's senior official and the department's superintendent-general Obakeng Mongale after he was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption. Mongale was allegedly involved in the R470 million Brits Hospital scandal during his tenure at the Department of Public Works around 2008.

Mongale handed himself over to the police last week Friday on charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). It's alleged that he oversaw an R57 million payment to a liquidated company, Iliima Projects and Tsoga Developers, when the contract was put to an end following poor workmanship, which had to be repaired by another company to an additional value of R4 million, 15 years ago. In a statement, the MEC said that while Mongale handed himself over to the police, he protested his innocence. "It is only fair that he should be given space and time to deal with the allegations. I have therefore granted him a special leave of absence pending the finalisation of his court case," said Sambatha further indicating that affording Mongale special leave of absence will assist the department in seeking legal counsel on the matter. "I have also taken a decision to appoint the Chief Director for Corporate Services Dr Madipuo Tlhogane as the Acting Superintendent-General for the period of the special leave of absence of the substantive SG," said Sambatha.

The Democratic Alliance in the province welcomed Mongale's arrest. DA North West's Health spokesperson, Gavin Edwards, said that they rejected Mongale's appointment in April 2021. "We note the North West Health MEC, Madoda Sambatha's decision to place Mr Mongale on special leave after his appearance in the Mahikeng Magistrates' Court on Friday for charges relating to the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Once again, the North West Department of Health will be left with an Acting HOD, while paying Mr Mongale's full salary during his special leave, incurring more wasteful expenditure. This situation could have been avoided had MEC Sambatha considered our objections in good faith when we raised them in 2021 and rather appointed an individual that is fit for purpose and above reproach," Edwards said. He added that unfortunately, the ANC government remains hell-bent on deploying questionable cadres to positions of authority to continue to undermine the law and promote entrenched ANC corruption. "Incidentally, Mr Mongale was appointed Health HOD to replace the former HOD, Dr Andrew Lekalakala, who himself has been arrested for an alleged fraud of R49 million through his company, Raliform Investment, in the construction of the Moses Kotane Hospital in Rustenburg and the Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg." Mongale was granted R50 000 bail and his case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further police investigation. The court has also ordered him to hand over his passport and ordered him to not leave the province without informing the investigating officer.