The ANC in Gauteng is working on removing Premier David Makhura out of the province’s top seat following Panyaza Lesufi’s victory as the party’s provincial chairperson.
According to highly-placed sources the party is working on the “peaceful removal” of Makhura by the end of the month.
Makhura, who will be standing for the position of secretary-general at the party’s elective conference in December, has a chequered history when dealing with the province’s health matters.
Thembisa Hospital
The Gauteng Department of Health has suspended the chief executive of Tembisa hospital Ashley Mkhonto following an investigation.
The Institutional Labour Caucus (ILC) which represents trade unions including Denosa and Nehawu says Mthunzi’s suspension is irrational because Mkhonto did not report to the premier. The Independent Liberation & Allied Workers Union(ILAWU) has called on Makhura himself to be investigated on allegations of irregular tender involvement.
“When Mthunzi was suspended there were strong allegations that the CEO was dealt with because the Premier David Makhura was not happy that the CEO was not his personally chosen man.
“The union calls for the investigation into Makhura’s irregular involvement in the tender processes in the hospital, the investigation must also cover the allegations that Makhura worked closely with fronts for PPE contracts in the hospital. The premier must explain his relations with ANC Ekurhuleni Region who are fingered in the corrupt activities. The allegations against the ANC regional treasurer benefiting millions of rand from the procurement in the hospital and in turn benefiting the ANC must also be investigated”, union secretary Siphamandla Masimula said.
Seemingly the scapegoat, Mkhonto was accused of tender facilitation but after some pressing by the DA, Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi revealed that the bust of the tenders at the hospital were given to Ekurhuleni treasurer Sello Sekhokho.
Sekhokho scored over R14.5 million for 55 contracts from Tembisa Hospital over the past three years. The contracts were for cleaning material, personal protective equipment, medical consumables and office supplies. Sekhokho’s companies Kaizen Projects, Nokokhokho Medical Supplies and Bollanoto Security, scored R2.8m in 2019 and R4.2m in 2020 but Mthunzi was only appointed as chief executive in 2021.
Qedani Mahlangu
In 2021 former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu blamed Makhura for the transfer of mental health patients from Life Esidimeni to bogus care centres, where 144 of the patients died.
Mahlangu’s remarks were made in her opening remarks, through her legal counsel, advocate Lawrence Hodes SC, during an inquest hearing into the death of the patients in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.
“The ultimate decision to transfer the mental health patients was taken by the premier,” Mahlangu said in her opening address.
Mahlangu, who was instructed to resign told the court that the premier was well aware of the events concerning Esidimeni. According to sources, minutes of the meetings where Makhura and Mahlangu discussed the Esidimeni matter, were mysteriously burnt in a fire at the government building, making Mahlangu “the fall guy” for the Esidimeni killings.
Kabelo Lehloenya
Former Gauteng Health Department chief financial officer Kabelo Lehloenya’s attempt to have Makhura held liable for the province’s personal protective equipment scandals did not succeed.
Lehloenya wanted Makhura and seven other officials to be included in the Special Investigating Unit’s civil recovery at the Special Tribunal.
In a statement to The Star from Makhura’s office, his spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga wrote: “Premier Makhura has never done business with government or any of its entities. Premier Makhura is focused in making sure that those who are corrupt are rooted out of the system”
“We are dealing with a very smart man here. The premier knows how to cover tracks. We must just wait for him to be out of office. His scandals will be out,” Masimula said.