Fire at Carletonville hospital destroys PPE and equipment worth R20 million

5 February 2021

The Democratic Alliance is alarmed that a fire at the Carletonville Hospital yesterday morning destroyed medical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth about R20 million.

According to local DA councillors Devin Nieuwenhuyzen and Carlos Rebelo, the fire started in a storeroom at the hospital.

Photographs of the fire are here and here.

The equipment that was destroyed was supposed to be for the AngloGold Ashanti hospital which is being readied to treat Covid-19 cases.

Police are at the scene as arson is suspected.

An independent investigation is needed to determine whether this fire was due to negligence or sabotage.

This is a severe loss, and accountability is needed for the lack of preventive measures that allowed it to occur.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 5 February 2021