175 SECURITY CAMERAS OFFLINE AT JOBURG HOSPITAL AS COMPANY OWED R4.1M

175 security cameras at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital are offline because the security company is owed R4.1 million.

This was revealed earlier this week by Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo in reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Papo, 175 out of 547 security cameras at the hospital have been out of action for about five months because Potlhako Security and Cleaning Services is owed R4.1 million. This amount would be paid by 14 December.

It is very worrying that security at this hospital has been compromised because a supplier has not been paid. Patients and staff need a safe environment, and theft is a major problem.

It is clear that problems at Gauteng hospitals continue because of unpaid companies despite assurances that all suppliers have been paid outstanding amounts.

This includes a broken CT Scanner at the Leratong Hospital that means risky delays in diagnosis of patients.

The Department must make every effort to ensure that all its suppliers are paid in due time.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, November 29 2012

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