Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reassured Gauteng residents that they'll root out all corrupt officials following the dismissal of five officials linked to the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Carletonville, west of Johannesburg. The five Gauteng Department of Health officials who were suspended in 2022 were dismissed for their role in awarding an irregular tender to refurbish a private hospital for over half a billion Rand.
COVID-19 SCANDALS
In 2020, the Gauteng departments of Health and Infrastructure Developments announced that AngloGold Ashanti donated the 181-bed facility to the government to assist with overcrowding in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, an estimated R50 million was budgeted for the refurbishment of the hospital, but it soon ballooned to over R588 million. However, R588 million later, following continuous refurbishments, the departments of health and infrastructure development said AngloGold cancelled the lease to the hospital after a year. It was then that the Gauteng government received a shocking report from the Auditor-General for spending R588 million of public money on private property.
INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETE
The Gauteng government has completed its investigations over two years since the irregular tender was awarded. Provincial government spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said: "The Premier Panyaza Lesufi has assured the residents of Gauteng that the provincial government remains committed to ensuring a transparent and clean government that is prudent in handling resources entrusted to it.". Mhaga said the officials had been charged with fraud and corruption. "After thoroughly reviewing the evidence, including interviews and forensic analysis, the officials were charged with various offences, including misconduct, fraud and corruption. Of the nine officials facing charges, five were dismissed, two received written warnings, one was acquitted and the other could not be subjected to disciplinary action because the department no longer employs him,"said Mhaga.
CALLS FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES TO BE LAID AGAINST OFFICIALS
DA shadow MEC of health in the province, Jack Bloom, has called for the dismissed officials to be criminally charged. "The DA welcomes the conclusion of disciplinary hearings against nine Gauteng Department of Health and Infrastructure Development officials who were suspended for their involvement in irregular contracts worth R500 million for the refurbishment of the Anglo Ashanti Hospital," said Bloom.
