Gauteng Health MEC claims no delay in combating Tembisa Hospital corruption

7 September 2023

I am astounded that Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko claims there has been “no delay” in disciplining officials and blacklisting companies implicated in the Tembisa Hospital corruption that murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran tried to stop.

Replying to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, the MEC said the disciplinary hearing of Tembisa hospital CEO Ashley Mthunzi, and Chief Financial Officer Lerato Madyo, will commence on 9 October 2023.

This is more than a year after they were suspended on 26 August 2022.

The MEC says six officials at Tembisa Hospital have been suspended and “the Investigating Officer is in the process of finalising charges.” This lags the SIU investigation report which recommended they be disciplined in December last year.

Concerning the “Justice for Babita” petition, which demands the blacklisting of 224 companies implicated in irregular payments by the Tembisa Hospital, the MEC says: “Blacklisting can only be done after the outcome of the investigation; however, measures have been put in place to ensure there is no re-occurrence and not to procure to the affected companies.”

The DA welcomes this restriction which is long overdue as some of these companies were still getting hospital contacts late last year.

I hope there are no further delays in disciplining officials and laying criminal charges in this matter.

The key thing is to get the masterminds as well as the accomplices to ensure real justice for Babita.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 7 September 2023