THE South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is investigating the alleged fraudulent procurement of health products at Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni.
The organisation said the hospital’s acting CEO is co-operating with its officials. This after it emerged that 12 companies linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela, a nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa from his first marriage, received R381 million in contracts from Gauteng public hospitals in the last three years. These contracts were all under R500 000 and allegedly signed by the Tembisa Hospital CEO instead of going out to tender.
The information was brought forward by Gauteng health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in her written reply to the DA before the Gauteng Legislature. According to Nkomo-Ralehoko, the companies were not registered with the authority.
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SAPHRA said it is also working with the police and the Special Investigating Unit in the probe.
SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said: “SAHPRA holds public safety as an important cornerstone of its mandate. Any transgression in terms of unethical conduct and compromising public safety will be taken seriously and will be fully investigated. SAHPRA works alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure that any perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.”
Industry and healthcare professionals are urged to comply with the Medicines and Related Substances Act when procuring health products.
“It must be stressed that procurement of these products must be in compliance with the requisite SAHPRA regulations,” said the organisation.
The DA has welcomed the investigation by SAHPRA. DA’s Jack Bloom said: “There are significant penalties for non-registration with SAHPRA. My view is that non-compliant companies should be barred from doing any further business with the Gauteng health department.”
