The suspension of Tembisa Hospital officials implicated in the SIU report into fraudulent contracts will be welcome news to slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran’s family, with Gauteng Health saying this week that disciplinary action was being taken against those involved.
The December 2022 report found numerous fraudulent suppliers had been irregularly appointed at the hospital, with payments of more than R1bn to “syndicates” of business people with fake companies, reports The Citizen.
The officials cited for adjudication of quotations received included Duduzile Nobugwana (administration clerk), LH Mojela (director supply chain), Vuyani Chako (physiotherapist), MA Maphumulo (chief physiotherapist), NL Kobe (financial clerk), DE Monnakgotla (assistant manager nursing), Puleng Mtuze (financial clerk), Vuyikazi Mtwezi (food service manager) and Dr Radulescu (medical officer).
“Of the nine mentioned in the SIU report, six officials were suspended from 10 July 2023 …and an investigator has been appointed to further deal with the matter,” said the department.
It added that the disciplinary cases involving the suspended GDoH CFO and Tembisa Hospital CEO – who have both been charged – are under way and being handled from the Office of the Premier.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said an external service provider had been appointed to handle the process, and that witnesses were being protected.
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