Motsoaledi dismisses ‘unfounded and ridiculous’ report of NHI compromise.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi has denied that the African National Congress (ANC) has shifted its stance on the National Health Insurance (NHI).

This follows a City Press article that the ANC during its first Cabinet Lekgotla of 2025, plans to propose that all employees must join a medical aid scheme to lower health insurance costs and ease the public health system’s strain.

It was further added that the ANC hopes the proposal will appease other parties who form part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) who have strongly objected to the implementation of the NHI.

Motsoaledi said, allegations are both unfounded and ridiculous. There is no such plan from either the ANC nor from government. Any insinuation thereto is the figment of the imagination of either the author of the article or his unknown sources.”

“In fact, it would be dumb for anyone to suggest that. It is surprising that certain segments of the media keep second-guessing about what will be done with the costs of the private health sector,” said Motsoaledi.

Motsoaledi added the department was worried that there is persistent and consistent disinformation about NHI. 

“The recent reporting on NHI represents nothing but an onslaught by some sections of the media on NHI which clearly is aimed at adding confusion and discrediting NHI in the eyes of the public,” he said.

The NHI is unlikely to be a quick process and may take years to implement. However, Motsoaledi said the government would implement the NHI in phases and was already in Phase 2.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the NHI Bill into law two weeks before the general elections, on 15 May. The Bill completely overhauls health and will require all South Africans to sign up to the NHI to allow a pooling of private and public spending on health.

Multiple organisations, including the trade union Solidarity, AfriForum, the Health Funders Association and the South African Medical Association, indicated they would legally challenge the NHI Bill, even before it was signed into law.

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