Johannesburg – The Tembisa Hospital probe should extend to all the Gauteng public hospitals says the DA.
The DA welcomed the SIU report, which confirms the allegations of massive maladministration, fraud and corruption in the award of contracts by Tembisa Hospital to fishy companies.
Yesterday, the Hawks conducted a search and seizure operation following an investigation by the SIU after more than R500 million in irregular contracts were reportedly awarded to powerful individuals and families from 2020 to 2022.
The DA said the raid should help in laying criminal charges against business owners and colluding officials.
“The SIU has applied for a presidential proclamation to extend its probe of Tembisa Hospital contracts, but this should be extended to all Gauteng public hospitals,” said the DA’s Jack Bloom.
Bloom added that, according to replies to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature, the three companies owned by ANC bigwig Sello Sekhokho got 225 contracts worth R84m in the last three years from other Gauteng hospitals. This was in addition to R14.5m from 55 Tembisa Hospital contracts.
“Another example is that companies linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela got R356m from Tembisa Hospital in the last three years, as well as R22m from Mamelodi Hospital, and R2.4m from other hospitals,” Bloom said.
He added that all implicated companies should be blacklisted immediately, and steps taken to recover money spent on grossly overpriced goods which may not even have been delivered.
“I suspect there are high-level officials at Gauteng Health Deparment’s head office who collude in these hospital payments scams. They need to be exposed and prosecuted. Hospital money should be spent properly to ensure the best treatment for patients, rather than squandered on fraudulent contracts,” Bloom said.
The Star