Tembisa Hospital corruption: SIU flags Gauteng Health Dept's systems

The Special Investigating Unit has slammed the Gauteng Department of Health's systems in its report into tender fraud at the Tembisa Hospital.

On Monday, the unit revealed that R2 billion was syphoned from the facility in irregular contracts.

The investigation was prompted by a probe conducted by whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was assassinated months after she flagged R800 million in corrupt tenders at the facility in 2021.

SIU head advocate Andy Mothibi has been critical of the Gauteng Health Department’s supply chain systems and how officials responded to signs of corruption.

“Non-compliant bidders were issued compliance certificates without raising any red flags. The SIU found no evidence of concern from the GDOH regarding the RFQs processed.”

At the same time, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the report is damning and disturbing.

“We have also taken a decision that all those who are working in our supply chain management, they must undergo lifestyle audits. There was serious resistance to this because this part of lifestyle audits is not legislated.”

While the final report into corruption at the Tembisa Hospital was scheduled for release in November 2027, Mothibi has promised to expedite investigations.