A TSHWANE medical doctor has failed to block an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) relating to R20 million in circumcision funding from the National Lottery Commission (NLC).
The North Gauteng High Court has dismissed, with costs, an application brought by Dr John Marite to appeal an earlier judgment, which dismissed his bid to interdict an investigation by the SIU in the affairs of the NLC involving about R20,2 million grant funding.
In a judgment dated 13 February 2024, acting Judge Hein Snyman said that the appeal against the September 2023 judgment by Dr Marite had no grounds for “prospects of success on appeal”.
SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said in the application brought before the high court, the doctor sought to interdict the SIU investigation and compel the unit to change its NLC investigation team and interfere in the way the unit conducts its investigations.
“An SIU investigation into the affairs of NLC revealed that Dr Marite’s company, Right Play Health Services received approximately R7,2 million from Zibsimode NPC, a non-profit organisation with links to former NLC board chairperson Alfred Nevhutanda.
"Zibsimode received grant funding of approximately R20,2 million from NLC for the roll-out of a public campaign and culturally sensitive medical intervention projects aimed at achieving traditional circumcision practice,” he said.
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Kganyago said the non-profit organisation contracted Marite and his Right Play Health Services to perform the male circumcision service.
“On 31 May 2017, Dr Marite invoiced Zibsimode, and a payment of R7 292 700 was made into the bank account of Right Play Health Services. Two days later, Right Play Health Services deposited approximately R2 009 700 to an entity called Ironbridge Travel Agency, owned by relatives of former NLC COO Philemon Letwaba, without a sign of any work being done."
Kganyago said the Right Play Health Services further transferred R2 013 000 Ndzhuku Trading entity owned by Malwandla Solly Siweya. Siweya’s Ndzhuku Trading also received three payments from Zibsimode, totalling R4,1 million.
He said that the SIU interviewed him on the payment he received from Zibsimode and payments he made to Ironbridge Travel Agency and Ndzhuku Trading.
Kganyago said when he failed to answer questions from SIU investigators, he approached the high court to seek an order for SIU to change its NLC investigation team and interfere with how the unit conducts its investigations.
“The SIU welcomes the High Court’s ruling. The ruling paves the way for the unit to finalise its investigation relating to the R7,2 million received by Dr Marite and ensures the independence of the SIU is not compromised."
