Arrest, return of Tembisa Hospital looted money: DA demands

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng picketed outside Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office demanding criminal charges against all those implicated in the looting at Tembisa Hospital.

The party handed over a memorandum with demands including speedy process to sell off the assets of syndicate kingpins so the money is directly returned to assist hospital patients.

According to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Dr Jack Bloom, they are also calling for criminal charges against all those implicated in the looting, regardless of their high positions or political connections.

Bloom who was accompanied by the DA Constituency Heads for Tembisa, Refiloe Ntšekhe and Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the evidence for asset forfeitures should be used to criminally charge Hangwani Maumela and others instead of waiting for the SIU final report.

“We are calling for justice for Babita Deokaran and this means finding and charging the mastermind who ordered her murder, as well as suitable protection and honour for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing.

“Investigations must be widen to include procurement at all Gauteng hospitals as well as public disclosure of all findings, and timely report-backs on the implementation of recommendations.

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“There must be a comprehensive reform of procurement processes to prevent further stealing and ensure that money is spent cost-effectively to improve healthcare,” he expressed.

Blooma emphasised that Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko should be fired as she allowed former Chief Financial Officer Lerato Madyo to resign with her pension money instead of being disciplined for suppressing Babita’s exposure of suspicious contracts at Tembisa Hospital.

Corruption far wider than Tembisa Hospital

He continued; “We need a new MEC who will effectively break up the corruption networks and replace all the cronies with competent and ethical people.

“The corruption is far wider than Tembisa Hospital, and it needs to be rooted out. The reality is that people die when health money is misappropriated on such a massive scale.

“Premier Lesufi must stop the stealing and start the healing!”.