Nkomo-Ralehoko denies food shortages at Charlotte Maxeke hospital

By Levy Masiteng 

Gauteng’s MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, has denied claims of food shortages at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.

The allegations were made by the DA’s health spokesperson in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, after photographs surfaced showing patients receiving only a slice of bread with margarine and cheese for lunch.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said at a media briefing that the image was taken out of context, and that it showed a scheduled 4 pm snack, not a main meal.

“It was two slices of bread, margarine, and an apple. Lunch and dinner were proper meals prepared in the hospital kitchen. I was in the kitchen myself when lunch was cooked,” she said.

She said that patients are receiving three meals daily and the temporary closure of the Masakane Cook Freeze factory – which had led to speculation that this was the reason for the alleged food shortage – was