Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein– Pressure is mounting over how the Department of Health is handling theft cases following the withdrawal of charges against Sfiso Maphalala, a dental technician at Pelonomi Hospital.
Maphalala was arrested by SAPS Mangaung after security personnel at Pelonomi Hospital searched him and found him in possession of dental materials without proof of authorisation.
His arrest took place at approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
Maphalala had knocked off duty at 16:00, and it is alleged that he later returned to the hospital premises to conduct private work.
Insiders at Pelonomi Hospital say that the charges have since been withdrawn.
However, the Department of Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, had not responded to questions sent by Step Up SA News at the time of publication.
The publication asked the department the following questions:
- Is the department charging him internally?
- Is he suspended?
- If not, why not?
- What is the department’s policy of stealing?
Further investigations reveal that the charges were withdrawn by Dr N. Setshego, the acting Chief Executive Officer.
According to an affidavit in our possession dated 31 January 2026 at 14:56, Setshego states that after conducting an investigation, it was concluded that the items found in Maphalala’s possession were not stolen.
It remains unclear who conducted the investigation or where the report is currently held.
However, sources with intimate knowledge of departmental processes claim that only the Labour Relations unit, with approval from the Head of Department, is authorised to conduct such investigations.
This is a developing story.
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