DA calls for suspension of Tembisa Hospital CEO amid graft allegations
The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng picketed outside the Tembisa Hospital on the East Rand on Friday, calling for the immediate suspension of CEO Ashley Mthunzi.
It wants a probe into allegations of suspicious contracts of more than R800 million at the facility.
Media reports this week claimed slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran had identified financial mismanagement at Tembisa Hospital before her death.
The DA's Jack Bloom said they believe government has been dragging its heels.
"The DA is calling on Premier David Makhura to act speedily on the latest evidence of massive corruption at the Tembisa Hospital. Hundreds of contracts worth more than R800 million, and it could well be linked to the murder of Babita Deokaran."
Bloom said Mthunzi should be investigated and held liable for his role in signing off the dubious contracts.
"These contracts are all under R500 000, which means they don’t have to go out on tender and can be signed off by the CEO of Tembisa Hospital, Dr Ashley Mthunzi, who took over in April last year."
Recent reports also allege that the ANC’s Ekurhuleni treasurer Sello Sekhokho scored three contracts worth R2.3 million.
But Sekhokho denied the claims against him.
"Much of what was bought was grossly overpriced,” Bloom said. “Examples include 2 000 hand towels bought for R230 each, and 100 fancy leather armchairs for R500 000, which works out at R5000 a chair.
“Meanwhile, patients at this hospital suffer because of overcrowding, and the shortage of staff and equipment. Why leather armchairs when this hospital is short of beds?”
In response to the demonstration, the Gauteng Health Department spokesperson Motaletale Modiba said they would allow the investigation into Deokaran's death to continue before commenting on the reports.
"We have noted with concern the damning allegations...given that the issues surrounding the tragic death of Ms Deokaran are still under investigation by law enforcement its wise for us to allow that process to properly unfold so that we are able to take appropriate action."
The DA has called for the immediate suspension of all implicated people, the Department’s Chief Financial Officer Lerato Madyo who authorised the payments that Babita reportedly tried to stop, and the launch of a high-level investigation.
ALSO READ:
