The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng welcomes the revelations of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report that more than R2 billion was looted through procurement irregularities, fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng, and the recommendations thereof.
The SIU has referred 116 officials for disciplinary action and is working with the National Prosecuting Authority to recover assets and pursue criminal charges.
The corruption at Tembisa Hospital has had devastating consequences for both healthcare workers and patients, undermining trust, safety, and service delivery in one of Gauteng’s busiest public hospitals. This kind of occurrence demoralises honest staff members and leaves them fearful and disillusioned, especially after the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. Moreover, workers who rely on timely delivery of medical supplies and services were forced to operate in a system riddled with fake vendors and undelivered goods.
Funds meant for essentials such as medication, equipment, and infrastructure were siphoned off, directly affecting patient care and outcomes, and likely resulted in delayed care for patients, longer queues, and reduced access to specialists and procedures. There’s no denying that corruption has led to the collapse of public services, which has in turn contributed to taxpayer disillusionment.
COSATU Gauteng applauds the good work done by the SIU and calls for law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure that the full might of law is brought to bear against the corrupt and officials who seek to benefit from the poorest of the poor and ensure that justice prevails.
COSATU calls on the MEC of Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, to act decisively and urgently on maleficence. We further call for fair disciplinary processes for all staff members who are alleged to have participated in this scandal.
Issued by: COSATU Gauteng Provincial Office
Amos Monyela, COSATU Provincial Chairperson, 079 493 5002
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Provincial Administrator, 082 297 2659 / 066 182 2402
