DA demands axing of security at Charlotte Maxeke hospital
The DA says the time has to fire the company responsible for security at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital following another major theft of copper pipes.
This follows the theft of copper cables worth R30 million, and equipment worth R200 000, from the hospital last year.
The party saysp R3 million of copper piping was stolen from above an operating theatre at the hospital.
The DA's Jack Bloom says there is an urgent need for new security in all Gauteng public hospitals.
"These high-value thefts occurred despite spending more than R30 million every year at this hospital which is supposed to have functioning security cameras at key locations as well.
"There is an urgent need for new security contracts at all Gauteng public hospitals to ensure cost-effective and efficient security to stop the thefts and protect staff and patients.
Bloom adds that hospital security in Gauteng hospitals were to be advertised more than six years ago.
"All Gauteng hospital security contracts were supposed to be advertised more than six years ago after the expiry of the previous two-year contracts, but these contracts have been irregularly extended on a month-by-month basis.
"I suspect there has been inside collusion with these thefts, but whatever the reason, the security company has to be held accountable."
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