Key Takeaways:
- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling for the assets of businesspeople linked to the looting of Tembisa Hospital to be sold and the money injected back into the hospital’s account.
- The DA has launched a petition titled "Collect the Billions" to pressure the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to seize the assets of the leaders of three syndicates that stole R2 billion from the hospital.
- The SIU has already begun seizing assets belonging to one of the kingpins, Hangwani Maumela, but the DA is criticizing the slow pace of the process and the fact that the seized assets are sitting idle in a storage facility.
- The DA is also calling for the leaders of the syndicates to be criminally charged and for the Gauteng health department to be investigated for corruption.
- The party believes that the corruption in the health department is not limited to Tembisa Hospital, but is a widespread problem that affects the entire province.
Introduction to the Scandal
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is taking a strong stance against corruption in the province’s health department, particularly with regards to the looting of Tembisa Hospital. The party is calling for the assets of businesspeople linked to the scandal to be sold and the money injected back into the hospital’s account. This move is part of a larger effort to hold those responsible for the corruption accountable and to ensure that the hospital receives the funding it needs to provide quality healthcare to its patients.
The "Collect the Billions" Petition
The DA has launched a petition titled "Collect the Billions" to pressure the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to seize the assets of the leaders of three syndicates that stole R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital. The petition is gaining momentum, and the party is hopeful that it will lead to real action being taken against those responsible for the corruption. According to Jack Bloom, the DA shadow MEC for Health and Wellness in Gauteng, the SIU has already begun seizing assets belonging to one of the kingpins, Hangwani Maumela, but the process is moving too slowly. Bloom is criticizing the fact that the seized assets are sitting idle in a storage facility instead of being sold to benefit the hospital.
The Extent of the Corruption
The corruption at Tembisa Hospital is just the tip of the iceberg, according to Bloom. He believes that the entire Gauteng health department has become a feeding trough for the corrupt, with estimates suggesting that over R20 billion has been looted from the department over the past 10 years. This is a staggering amount of money that could have been used to improve healthcare services and save lives. Instead, it has been wasted on corrupt activities and lining the pockets of those in power. The DA is calling for a full investigation into the corruption in the health department and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The Impact on Patients
The corruption in the Gauteng health department is not just about money; it is also about the impact it has on patients. Poor management and a lack of resources can lead to poor healthcare outcomes and even death. Bloom has been receiving complaints from other hospitals in the province, including Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which has the biggest budget in the province. He believes that the corruption is widespread and that it is not just limited to Tembisa Hospital. The DA is calling for urgent action to be taken to address the corruption and to ensure that patients receive the quality healthcare they deserve.
The Need for Accountability
The DA is calling for the leaders of the syndicates responsible for the looting of Tembisa Hospital to be criminally charged. The party believes that the evidence gathered by the SIU is sufficient to bring charges and that it is essential to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Bloom is also calling for the Gauteng health department to be investigated for corruption and for those responsible to be held accountable. The DA believes that this is essential to restore trust in the healthcare system and to ensure that patients receive the quality care they deserve. By holding those responsible accountable, the DA hopes to prevent similar corruption from happening in the future and to ensure that the healthcare system is run in a transparent and accountable manner.
