THE poor state of public hospitals across Mzansi has been widely reported over the years.
Corruption has been the most identified problem, resulting in conditions of poor resources, understaffed facilities and equipment shortages.
In his response to DA MP Michele Clarke this week, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla told Parliament more than R121 million had been lost through corruption in provincial departments since 2020.
Mpumalanga, North West and the Free State were the most affected. In Mpumalanga, nine cases of corruption were recorded, amounting to over R58 million. Disciplinary measures were initiated and five cases were pending sanctions.
In North West, seven cases involving seven people were recorded, amounting to over R27 million. Two disciplinary actions were undertaken – one suspect was dismissed and the other denied two months’ salary. Five were still under investigation. In the Free State, five were recorded, amounting to over R24 million. One employee was dismissed and four are under investigation.
Gauteng and KZN have both recorded over R2,7 million, with 21 cases each. All of them are still under investigation while in KZN, one employee was issued a written warning, one dismissed, two resigned and two lost three months’ salaries. Other cases are still pending.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Hangwani Morgan Maumela, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew by marriage, scored contracts worth R381 million in the last three years from Gauteng public hospitals. All contracts were under R500 000.
You need to be SIGNED IN to read comments
According to the DA, this was revealed by Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Maumela was also implicated in the Tembisa Hospital corruption after R36 million was paid to companies linked to him.
DA’s Jack Bloom said Nkomo-Ralehoko said much of this was for medical products, but none of the listed companies had South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s approval.
Of this amount, R356m came from Tembisa, R22 million from Mamelodi Hospital and R2,4 million from others.
“At various times, some of these companies were not tax-compliant or were deregistered for a period. It appears seven of nine companies operate from a unit in a Sandton residential estate.”
The Special Investigative Unit is probing the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.
