DA slams Mokgethi's response over delays in Deokaran graft probe request
The DA’s shadow health MEC Jack Bloom says they are not satisfied with the answer from Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi on the Babita Deokaran probe.
Mokgethi told members of the Gauteng legislature on Tuesday morning that the department had no records of an official request for a forensic investigation from the murdered whistleblower.
“I am not satisfied at all because I think that the Health MEC completely ducked the question. She said there was not an official request for an investigation of the Tembisa Hospital corruption, but in fact, we know from the evidence that there were emails and WhatsApp messages.”
Bloom says politicians should also be held to account and not just blame officials, stressing that there should also be accountability on the part of the premier and the MEC for failing to institute an investigation into the graft reports by Deokaran.
He adds that the premier promised an urgent turnaround of the health department eight years ago, but there’s been very little change.
“It’s got to be a no holds bar investigation and if it leads to senior ANC politicians, that’s where it must lead. I think that there are criminal networks in the Gauteng health department and that they are linked to senior health officials. “
At the same time, Premier David Makhura says the suspension of the health department’s chief finance officer Lerato Madyo and the Tembisa Hospital chief executive officer Ashley Mthunzi were done in accordance with the law.
While Makhura’s office and the health department have been heavily criticised for moving slowly in instituting an investigation into the graft allegations, the premier says it is through proper government processes the matter has now been referred to the Special Investigations Unit.
“The point is to act against wrongdoing, not to be seen to be acting, and find a balance to ensure that when action is taken every ground is covered - there’s always tension there. Did you act too late or did you act fast enough?”
Makhura pointed out that adhering to the process increased the chances of a favourable outcome for the state.
“In our experience, in all the cases that we have worked with the SIU and we have acted in accordance with the law by the time the SIU enables us to bring disciplinary processes and matters end up in the Special Tribunal, those processes guarantee us that there will be a positive outcome for government.”
A News24 investigation report revealed that Deokaran flagged irregular payments worth an estimated R850 million, and the CFO in turn assured her that her concerns had been escalated.
Makhura says they are concerned about reports that the allegations against the two officials could be linked to the August 2021 assassination of Deokaran.
He says more should be done to protect whistleblowers and officials, including those who act against corruption like health head Nomonde Nelotshungu.
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