SIYABONGA SITHOLE
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za
THE DA has welcomed the raid on Tembisa Tertiary Hospital, which was undertaken by the members of the directorate for priority crime investigation, the Hawks, who descended on the hospital on Tuesday.
The Hawks conducted a search and seizure 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.
Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the operation springs from an inquiry into allegations of fraud and corruption at the hospital, which were also flagged by slain whistleblower Babita Doekaran, who was gunned down in August 2021.
She said they had received information about R850 million in irregular contracts awarded to 217 service providers by supply chain management at the hospital.
Last week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed that the SIU report had fingered five companies that are allegedly involved in more than R850 million worth of dodgy contracts at the hospital.
On Tuesday, Lesufi confirmed that an SIU investigation had since been finalised adding that prior to her assassination, Deokaran had compiled a forensic report profiling 224 companies.
Lesufi addressed members of the media and other government officials during a press briefing in Midrand on Tuesday, where he provided details of the SIU report into Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.
Among those fingered in the irregular tender corruption of more than R 400 million at the hospital are Dr Stefan Govindraju, who between January 1, 2020, and October 11, 2022, received about R437 million from different companies.
They were followed by the Mazibuko family (R249 581 855) and ANC Ekurhuleni treasurer-general Sello Sekhokho, who received R1.7 million.
“All those responsible must be hunted down. They must answer for their own sins in a court of law and explain themselves.”
Lesufi said the SIU report revealed that the suspended CEO at Tembisa Hospital, Ashley Mthunzi, was responsible for approving all irregular bids made at the time, and disciplinary action would follow.
Speaking to The Star in Gauteng, DA shadow minister of health Jack Bloom said the DA welcomes the raids at the hospital, adding that the rot at Gauteng hospital cannot be confined to Tembisa hospital as it is widespread across all hospitals in the province.
“As much as we welcome the latest report, we do however believe that the investigations should be widened into all public hospitals in the province. This is because irregular contracts are not only confined to Tembisa hospital alone but widespread across all public hospitals.”
Bloom said the DA would like to see those fingered in irregular contracts dismissed and barred from doing business with the state.
“There is room to recover millions of rands that have been stolen through these tenders. We want these people to be criminally charged and appear in court. There must be consequences, including being blacklisted from doing business with the state,” Bloom said.