NHLS Governance Crisis Reaches Parliament With R1.8 Billion in Irregular Spending
November 13, 2026
The NHLS governance crisis reached Parliament on Thursday 12 November 2026, when the Portfolio Committee on Health heard the National Health Laboratory Service account for its audit result, its interim board and its procurement record. The health minister was still travelling back from abroad, and the deputy minister and director-general were hosting regional health ministers in Durban. MPs objected to the minister’s absence for much of the opening session, and the committee then agreed to proceed with the NHLS and the department and to call the minister back.
Minister’s absence and the decision to proceed
The department’s delegation was led by its chief financial officer, who had started on 1 November. One MP said the minister had said the committee was lying, and the chair deferred the ARV briefing to the minister’s appearance. Syenza News reported on a Pretoria High Court ruling on antiretroviral tender awards in October.
Let Google know we are your trusted source.
Add our editorial as a preferred source in your search results.
Value Science Weekly
The week in health technology assessment, market access and health economics — what moved, and what it means.