KwaZulu-Natal’s Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane faces serious corruption allegations after leaked documents and whistleblower accounts suggest her family benefited from irregular Agriculture Department contracts worth millions.
Sources within the provincial government claim companies tied to Simelane’s relatives received questionable payments from agricultural development funds meant for emerging farmers. Investigators are examining evidence that money intended for rural co-operatives was redirected to private accounts through allegedly fraudulent service contracts.
“The scale is staggering – some projects were completely fabricated, yet millions disappeared,” a senior official revealed anonymously. Opposition parties are demanding Simelane’s immediate resignation, with the DA calling for a forensic audit of both Health and Agriculture departments.
Simelane dismissed the claims as “politically motivated lies,” vowing to cooperate with investigations while accusing rivals of manufacturing the scandal ahead of ANC internal elections.
The Premier’s office is reportedly considering an interdepartmental probe as civil society groups warn that inaction could further erode public trust. With pressure mounting, the scandal tests the province’s commitment to tackling high-level graft.
