By Charmaine Ndlela
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday handed a memorandum to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office, demanding criminal charges against all those implicated in large-scale looting at Tembisa Hospital.
The picket outside the premier’s office was led by the DA’s Gauteng Health spokesperson, Jack Bloom, who delivered the memorandum of demand to senior manager Dumisani Nxumalo.
The party called for a speedy process to sell off seized assets from those implicated in the funds that were stolen, so that money can be channelled directly back to assist hospital patients, and for criminal charges “against all those implicated in the looting, regardless of their high positions or political connections”.
The memorandum also demanded justice for murdered whistle-blower Babita Deokaran, the widening of investigations to include procurement at all Gauteng hospitals, public disclosure of all findings, and regular report-backs on the implementation of recommendations.
The party called for reform of procurement systems “to prevent further stealing and ensure that money is spent cost-effectively to improve healthcare”.
It also called for the axing of Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
In September, a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe found that at least R2.043 billion had been looted from Tembisa Hospital, with the total expected to rise as investigations continue. The SIU obtained an order to preserve about R900 million in assets linked to payments that were allegedly unlawfully and irregularly paid out by the hospital.
SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said three major syndicates — Maumela, Mazibuko and Syndicate X — misappropriated more than R2 billion meant for healthcare at Tembisa Hospital. The Maumela syndicate includes companies linked to tender tycoon Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Bloom told Inside Metros that Lesufi could face “political consequences” if he fails to act on the DA’s demands.
“The elections are coming up, if the Premier chooses to ignore this, well, there are consequences for that and there should be consequences,” he said.
DA Provincial Legislature member Khathutshelo Rasilingwane told the crowd that corruption at the hospital had translated into dire conditions for patients, citing testimony from residents.
“Mothers in labour find themselves sharing beds because there aren’t enough mattresses. You find patients bleeding on chairs in the casualty area because there are not enough staff and no equipment,” she said.
“People with chronic illnesses are going months without treatment because machines are broken and never repaired. Our grannies sleep on benches because the wards are overcrowded.
“One mother lost her son because the hospital did not have oxygen cylinders in stock yet, that same week, one of the syndicate members bought a brand-new German car in cash.
“Another family buried their father after he picked up an infection inside the hospital due to hygiene failures, [while] billions meant for basics like gloves, disinfectants and linen were diverted into corrupt contracts.”
She said the looting had led to preventable deaths.
The DA ended the picket with a warning that it would maintain pressure on the provincial government.
“Corruption in healthcare kills and silence enables it. We will not be silent,” the party said.
INSIDE METROS