IRR: Allegations against Mashatile’s son-in-law a taster of what the NHI will unleash

Recent allegations of potentially inappropriate dealings between the government and relatives of Deputy President Paul Mashatile conjure the spectre of graft and corruption that inevitably risks being unleashed when healthcare spending is nationalised under the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.

While the full details of the allegations suggesting undue financial and commercial benefits to Mashatile's son-in-law are still under investigation, it is undeniable that cronyism has been a persistent catalyst for corruption in South Africa.

This is not a recent development. The presidency of Paul Kruger of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek was mired in notoriety over allegations that Kruger's son-in-law, with poetic historical irony, benefited from his political ties and state contracts.

This serves as a historical reminder that patterns of corruption often repeat themselves. From Kruger to Zuma to Mashatile, the triggers of corruption remain the same.

For over a century, South Africa has served as a case study of cronyism and corruption. When massive financial transactions and governmental power are coupled with broad political discretion and inadequate oversight, cronyism thrives and corruption proliferates. Regardless of who holds power, it is invariably the ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of the consequences of cronyism and corruption.

The escalating controversy surrounding Deputy President Mashatile should serve as a stark warning to South Africans of the baked-in corruption risks of the NHI.

The NHI inherently possesses the elements of discretion and insufficient oversight that have historically enabled questionable dealings, and the misuse of political connections.

Says Hermann Pretorius, IRR Head of Strategic Communications: "The NHI represents a significant governmental overreach into the rights of South Africans to choose their healthcare providers, and to fair labour practices where the value of medical professionals' expertise is determined by the quality of their work, not by an unaccountable political bureaucrat.

"But no-one should underestimate how the NHI presents a perfect storm for graft, cronyism, and corruption that will make the Guptas and the sons-in-law of deputy presidents look like pickpockets.

"No matter how noble the intentions of the NHI's staunchest advocates, South Africans cannot afford the NHI if we are to effectively combat the pervasive issues of cronyism and the scourge of corruption."

Instead of pouring hundreds of billions of taxpayers' hard-earned money into what will likely become a lucrative opportunity for cronies, the government should prioritise improving public hospitals, eradicating existing corruption within the public healthcare system, ending cadre deployment at hospitals, and facilitating access for the most socio-economically vulnerable to affordable medical schemes.

The IRR is mobilising thousands of South Africans to ensure the NHI is stopped. To join us and support these vital efforts, follow this link: https://irr.org.za/campaigns/stop-nhi

Media Contact: Hermann Pretorius, IRR Head of Strategic Communications  hermann@irr.org.za +2779-875-4290

Media enquiries: Michael Morris Tel: 066 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za

Sinalo Thuku, Tel: 073 932 8506 Email: sinalo@irr.org.za