Tembisa Hospital corruption: SAFTU welcomes accountability for deceased officials

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has welcomed the commitment made by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who has assured South African that government is serious about  pursuing senior officials implicated in the Tembisa Hospital corruption, even those who have died in the aftermath of the R2 billion tender corruption.

This comes as the minister  committed himself to charging all those who have contributed to the sad state of affairs at the embattled hospital. Last week, Motsoaledi revealed that law enforcement authorities will leave no stones unturned in holding former Tembisa Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ashely Mthunzi, and others.

Mthunzi died after an undisclosed illness last year. At the time of his death, the former Tembisa Hospital CEO was facing a disciplinary process for his role in a R1 billion extraction scheme.

However, his wife, Lerato Mthunzi claims her husband has been used as a scapegoat to protect “politicians and criminals” who are involved in the theft of public funds. 

Last month, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into large-scale corruption at Tembisa Hospital, where more than R2 billion in public funds were siphoned indicated that the rot happened under the tenure of the late CEO, Dr Ashley Mthunzi.

On Sunday, SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, called on accountability to be extended beyond the grave for those who have since died following the looting of public funds at the institution.

“We commend Minister Motsoaledi for his principled and decisive stance that death cannot extinguish accountability. The Minister’s pledge that the state will pursue the estate of the late Dr Mthunzi to recover stolen public funds is an important step toward justice. As the Minister said, “the fact that he is late does not mean that the case is over, is closed,” Vavi stated.

The trade union leader added that SAFTU strongly supports the Minister’s declaration that those implicated in the plundering of public resources, whether living or deceased, must face justice.

“If credible evidence proves that Dr Mthunzi personally benefited from corruption, the state must move against his estate to recover every cent that belongs to the people of South Africa. This must apply equally to all co-conspirators, service providers, and public officials involved in the syndicate,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has demanded that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi divulge his reasons for suspending Lesiba Malotana as Head of the Gauteng Health Department.

Last week, Lesufi confirmed that he had suspended Malotana, head of the provincial department of health and wellness, with immediate effect.

However, the reasons for this suspension were never disclosed, leaving Gauteng residents to speculate over his possible involvement in the Tembisa Hospital corruption amounting to more than R2 billion.

DA shadow MEC of Health in the province, Dr Jack Bloom, indicated that Malotana's suspension could be linked to the more than 111 officials implicated in the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe, which also implicates at least four corrupt syndicates whose influence unlawfully obtained contracts at the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital.

"There are multiple reasons why he should be removed, but we need to know what disciplinary charges he faces, particularly if they relate to corruption. Previously, Lesufi has said the SIU investigation into whether he accepted bribes to influence two tenders was not sufficient cause to remove him, as there was no final report. He has also defended the Department after two court judgements for failing to treat cancer patients, as well as adverse Auditor General reports, "Bloom said.

However, responding to the recent calls for Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi to give reasons and act fast against implicated officials, Elijah Mhlanga called for calm, saying the Premier had to wait for the outcomes of lifestyle audits reports and other investigations to be concluded before acting.

"The Premier will not be as reckless as the DA wants him to be. While speed is needed, accuracy is also most important. There are several reports that the Premier has had to consider before taking action. We fully understand the eagerness to see action. However, it must be done responsibly in terms of procedure to avoid an undesirable outcome at the end."