Solidarity to hold Ramaphosa, Treasury personally liable for NHI

5 October 2023

Solidarity will intensify its fight against the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) by also holding individuals, including the President and the Ministers of Finance and Health personally liable for the consequences should it be implemented.

In a historic move, Solidarity told the parties involved should they decide to proceed with the NHI Solidarity will request a cost order against them in person in the court process against the NHI.

In a letter of demand issued to those involved today (5 October), Solidarity states that the input and reports – also from the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) – clearly explain how unaffordable and unworkable the NHI is.

“To persist with it nevertheless would be irrational. Moreover, it is a violation of the ethical codes and standards these government office bearers should commit themselves to. These office bearers do indeed have the power to decide against the NHI given the strong evidence to the effect that it would be harmful to the country and its citizens,” Dr Dirk Hermann Solidarity Chief Executive said.

According to Hermann, a cost order will be sought in person against President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana and the Minister of Health to hold them individually liable. In addition, accountability will be demanded from the National Treasury, the Department of Health and the National Council of Provinces, which are all responsible for the establishment of the NHI.

“In this way, we want to ensure that the individuals realise that they cannot plead innocence when destructive systems, such as this one, are designed. The NHI and its consequences should then also be laid at the door of such influential persons.

“The evidence of what will happen to health care in this country should it land up in the hands of the centralist government can be seen in the state in which other institutions that are in government hands, such as Eskom, Transnet and the SAA, are in,” Hermann said.

Although Solidarity has also emphasised in the past that the country is in desperate need of cheaper health care, reports of the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) make it clear that the NHI is certainly not the best solution.

Connie Mulder, head of the SRI, says that it has been proven that the NHI is not only unaffordable and unworkable, but that it is also unnecessary because South Africans already have access to free health care.

“If that health care system cannot be properly maintained and improved, there is simply no chance that a significantly larger system will be managed with more success, is there? In the SRI’s cost report, we found that Treasury will need an additional R296 billion to make the NHI a reality.

“The Treasury has a specific responsibility to prevent this because there is no money for it. That is why we will also hold the Treasury accountable,” said Mulder.

Together with the warning to the relevant government officials and departments, Solidarity will also attach the reports as proof. This includes a report indicating how medical practitioners who deliver private health care services are strongly opposed to the NHI and that up to 99% of them are concerned about the government’s ability to manage the NHI.

Solidarity will continue with legal action as soon as the decision is made to continue with the NHI. It is important that not only the government in its entirety, but also individual officials take note hereof.

Issued by Dirk Hermann, Solidarity: Chief Executive Officer, 5 October 2023