25 May 2026
To download a soundbite of Ms Fienies’ remarks, click on this link: https://iono.fm/e/1679307
Fellow South Africans, members of the media, committee Chairpersons and stakeholders, good morning.
The Select Committee on Social Services welcomes this opportunity to brief the public on key developments arising from our oversight work in the health and social development sectors. This briefing takes place at a time when communities continue to raise concerns regarding service delivery and accountability in these sectors. Our focus remains on strengthening accountability and ensuring that services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and with dignity, in line with the principles of Batho Pele, to all health users in South Africa.
Health sector: Oversight and findings
The committee conducted oversight visits across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng, with a specific focus on health infrastructure, as part of its constitutional mandate to monitor service delivery and ensure that health systems function optimally across provinces.
These oversight visits were informed by persistent concerns raised by communities about the deteriorating condition of health infrastructure, the shortage of human resources for health, and ongoing reports of challenges in service delivery. Engagements with the provincial Departments of Health further highlighted systemic pressures affecting infrastructure, human resources and maintenance systems, necessitating direct verification on the ground.
Findings from these visits revealed a consistent pattern of challenges across provinces. Many healthcare facilities are ageing and require urgent refurbishment, with visible infrastructure deterioration and maintenance backlogs. In other instances, infrastructure projects were underway but were taking too long or were abandoned before completion due to delays in paying contractors. Health facilities are operating under increasing pressure due to growing patient numbers, while shortages of essential equipment and critical staff continue to impact service delivery and health outcomes.
These conditions have a direct impact on ordinary citizens, who are often required to wait longer for services, travel further to access care and receive treatment under increasingly constrained conditions. These challenges are systemic and require urgent, coordinated intervention.
Committee Recommendations and Accountability
In response to these findings, the committee has resolved to intensify its oversight role and to ensure that corrective measures are implemented within specific time frames upon the House's adoption of the oversight reports.
The committee has called for accelerated investment in health infrastructure, improved maintenance planning and oversight of budgeting, a focus on primary healthcare and stronger coordination between national and provincial health departments. Infrastructure planning should be aligned with population growth and service demand to ensure equitable access. Investment in digital systems to minimise queues, improve waiting times in our health facilities and ensure the safekeeping of patient records is crucial. Ensuring adequate emergency medical services across our provinces, particularly in remote and rural areas, is crucial. Having skilled clinical and non-clinical staff at the primary health care level is also crucial. Educating and raising awareness about policies and procedures to improve efficiency for both health users (patients) and health providers (staff) is equally important.
The committee will continue to monitor implementation progress through follow-up engagements and reporting mechanisms.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
The National Health Insurance (NHI) remains a key policy instrument aimed at achieving universal access to quality healthcare. The committee notes that aspects of the NHI are currently subject to judicial processes. The committee respects the independence of the judiciary and will not pre-empt the outcome of the court case.
However, this process does not detract from the broader objective of ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all citizens. The committee will continue to monitor developments and ensure that all processes remain lawful, transparent and directed towards improving the health system.
Update on recent developments regarding Hantavirus
Recent developments have focused on the country’s response to the hantavirus following cases linked to an international cruise ship. During a briefing by the National Department of Health to the committee, the Minister confirmed that the identified strain is the Andes strain of hantavirus. This strain is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents and is not present in South African rodent populations.
It was further confirmed that human-to-human transmission is extremely rare and requires close contact. Authorities have implemented comprehensive contact tracing measures, with the majority of identified contacts successfully traced and currently under monitoring in line with public health protocols. The situation remains contained, and there is no evidence of sustained local transmission within South Africa. The overall risk to the public remains low.
Public Assurance
There is no cause for panic. The committee wishes to reiterate that the situation is under control and is being closely monitored by health authorities. These developments demonstrate the strength of the country’s surveillance systems and highlight the importance of sustained investment in institutions such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Health Laboratory Service.
Leadership changes
The committee further acknowledges the President's decision to remove Ms Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development, as part of efforts to ensure accountability and effective governance.
The committee further welcomes Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga as Acting Minister of Social Development and looks forward to working closely with her to ensure that the Department’s mandate is fully realised for its beneficiaries.
This leadership transition is important in ensuring stability within the department and maintaining continuity in the delivery of essential social assistance and welfare services.
For ordinary South Africans, particularly groups in vulnerable situations, this means continued access to social grants and support services without disruption, as well as a renewed focus on improving service delivery.
As a committee, we hope to see stability in the department, with vacant positions being filled and progress made toward addressing the challenge of securing employment for social service professionals such as social workers, social auxiliary workers and child and youth care workers. As a committee, we acknowledge the need for their skills across various sectors, including schools. We also intend to continue overseeing the implementation of policies, such as those related to the provision of services to older persons.
Conclusion
The Select Committee on Social Services remains committed to strengthening oversight, promoting accountability and ensuring improved service delivery across the health and social development sectors.
The committee will continue to engage with the departments (both national and provincial) and entities to ensure that the identified challenges are addressed with urgency and that tangible improvements are realised within specific time frames. Oversight must lead to action, and action must translate into meaningful change in the lives of South Africans.
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