‘Criminality cannot go unpunished’: Health Committee Chair slams R2bn looting at Tembisa Hospital
Health Portfolio Committee Chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo calls for decisive action against those implicated in the Tembisa Hospital looting, stressing the importance of restoring public confidence in healthcare.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of South Africa
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has expressed “grave concern” following the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) interim findings that more than R2 billion meant for healthcare services at Tembisa Hospital was misappropriated.
According to the report, at least 15 current and former officials are implicated in corruption, collusion, money laundering and bid rigging.
The number of implicated individuals is expected to increase as the investigation continues.
Dr Dhlomo described the revelations as “serious and very concerning”, saying they reveal acts of criminality, which are a profound breach of public confidence and an unacceptable diversion of much-needed health resources from the most vulnerable members of society.
He welcomed the SIU’s continued efforts to track down those responsible and to recover stolen funds.
“Some of these officials supported the syndicates with impunity, and there must be consequences. Such criminality cannot go unpunished,” he said.
Dr Dhlomo also noted the referral of the cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other law enforcement agencies, emphasising the importance of accountability.
“The committee will monitor the progress of this closely to ensure that accountability is upheld at all levels. It is only through decisive corrective action that public confidence in the healthcare system can be restored.”
The committee will engage with the Department of Health and the SIU for further briefings on the matter.
“The law should take its course for those implicated,” Dr Dhlomo said, adding that the committee will continue to exercise its oversight role to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s healthcare system.
The SIU investigation into Tembisa Hospital follows longstanding concerns about procurement irregularities and corruption in the healthcare sector.
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