No companies blacklisted by Gauteng Health, including those implicated in Tembisa Hospital corruption
22 March 2023
The Gauteng Health Department (GHD) has not blacklisted a single company for involvement in corruption, including those implicated by the SIU in R1 billion irregular spending at the Tembisa Hospital.
This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
According to the MEC, there is a “Restricted Supplier and Tender Defaulter Report” (RSTDR) but none of the implicated companies is on it because:
“The department cannot record companies on the list but report the companies for blacklisting through the relevant Treasury. A Treasury requirement is that only confirmed cases are reported to avoid litigation. The Department awaits final counsel and SIU reports before reporting the companies.”
There are 93 companies currently listed on the RSTDR, but not a single one has been put there by the Gauteng Health Department.
This means that these companies can still get tenders from Gauteng hospitals.
In stark contrast, 18 companies were put on the RSTDR list by the Western Cape Health Department for fraud, corruption, conflict of interest or misrepresentation of information.
Both the DA-led Midvaal and Modimolle-Mookgophong local authorities put five companies on this list.
And there are even three companies placed there by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
I am astounded that the GHD has not put a single company on this list despite the many scandals of companies that were irregularly appointed and involved in proven criminality over many years.
This is why these companies continue to get overpriced contacts they do not fulfil in many instances.
It’s more evidence that fighting corruption has never been a priority in this department, which is plagued by criminal syndicates that receive political protection.
The DA will continue to press for real accountability and consequences for those who steal the money needed desperately to improve health services.
Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 22 March 2023
