Proclamation granting SIU powers to investigate Tembisa hospital’s corruption welcomed

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“This will help the public to ascertain who received kickbacks and benefitted especially the allegations that this money was funnelled to finance ANC congress…”

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says it welcomes the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, giving the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) more powers and scope to investigate corruption and looting in the Gauteng department of health relating to Tembisa tertiary hospital.

In their preliminary investigations last year commissioned by former Premier David Makhura, the
SIU uncovered that there was a mountain of irregular and corrupt activities that needed further investigation.

Saftu’s general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi says they subsequently supported the recommendation by SIU to seek proclamation for the expansion of the scope of investigation.

“Our interest lay in the destination of every cent and rand that was embezzled out of Tembisa hospital through shell companies and inflated procurement prices.

“Though the gazette is not yet published for us to see the extent of the scope of investigation, we welcome this proclamation and hope that it gives SIU the powers to trace the bank accounts where these monies ended.

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“This will help the public to ascertain who received kickbacks and benefitted from this looting spree, especially in the context of the allegations that this money was funnelled to finance Ekurhuleni regional congress of the ANC,” he stated.

Vavi added that uncovering all networks and beneficiaries of this corruption is crucial for the prosecution
that should without hesitation follow the conclusion of the investigation, and to attach assets of those who unduly benefited and those who enabled this corruption, in order to recoup the losses the Gauteng government fiscus has incurred.