The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi to urgently appear before Parliament to explain the government’s response to the withdrawal of funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The opposition party is concerned about the lack of clarity around how the Department of Health plans to secure alternative funding to sustain critical HIV-related services previously supported by PEPFAR.
PEPFAR has been a cornerstone in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, and South Africa has been one of its largest beneficiaries. However, the US government halted this support in late January 2025, raising concerns about the immediate and long-term impacts on the country’s healthcare system.
Minister Motsoaledi recently attempted to allay fears during a briefing with Members of Parliament, assuring them that the loss of PEPFAR funding would primarily affect staffing and not the country’s ability to supply antiretroviral (ARV) medication. According to the Minister, South Africa does not rely on PEPFAR for the procurement of ARVs and has the fiscal capacity to sustain its national HIV/AIDS program independently.
While the Minister’s remarks were intended to reassure, investigations by health watchdogs Spotlight and GroundUp have revealed a worrying lack of preparedness within the Department of Health. Their findings suggest that as of mid-April, no formal request had been made to the National Treasury for emergency funding to replace the PEPFAR shortfall.
In a follow-up report published by GroundUp, it was noted that the Health Department only submitted an emergency funding application to Treasury after being queried about it on April 14th. This delay has prompted concerns about the department’s planning and responsiveness to a funding gap that was foreseeable months in advance.
Michele Clarke, the DA’s spokesperson on health, has expressed deep concern over the government’s handling of the situation. She argues that the Minister must be held accountable and should provide a full report to Parliament on the steps being taken to address the financial shortfall and safeguard HIV-related services.
“It is alarming that the Department initially claimed a Section 16 application for emergency funding was still under discussion, yet had not been formally submitted. This reflects poor coordination and a lack of urgency, especially considering the importance of uninterrupted HIV services,” said Clarke.
She went on to state that the Department’s vague and inconsistent communication with both the public and Treasury raises serious questions about its commitment to transparency and good governance. “There are millions of lives at stake. The Minister cannot be trusted to manage this crisis without strong parliamentary oversight. We must ensure that South Africa’s decades-long fight against HIV/AIDS does not falter due to administrative failures.”
Clarke also emphasized the importance of maintaining donor trust, pointing out that foreign aid plays a critical role in complementing domestic health budgets. She warned that a failure to demonstrate accountability and efficiency could jeopardize future partnerships and support.
As the DA prepares to bring the matter before Parliament, it is calling for a comprehensive plan from the Health Department, including a detailed breakdown of how any emergency funds would be allocated and what measures are being put in place to prevent service disruptions, especially in rural and under-resourced areas.
The situation remains fluid, but for now, civil society groups, healthcare workers, and opposition parties alike are urging the government to act swiftly and decisively to fill the funding gap and reassure the millions of South Africans who depend on the country’s HIV treatment and prevention programs.
