Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. Picture: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency(ANA)
Johannesburg - The DA has welcomed a probe by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) into irregular procurement deals at Tembisa Hospital.
Sahpra said this week that it had taken note of allegations of corruption regarding the procurement of medical consumables, in breach of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
DA Gauteng spokesperson on health Jack Bloom said the party welcomed Sahpra’s decision to investigate the allegations.
According to Sahpra, it is working with the SAPS and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Bloom said he wrote to Sahpra this past week regarding 12 companies linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew and other individuals.
“I wrote to Sahpra earlier this week concerning 12 companies that got R381 million in contracts from Gauteng public hospitals in the last three years, but according to Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, they were not registered with Sahpra. This information is contained in an official reply to my questions in the Gauteng legislature – R356m of the payments were from Tembisa Hospital, R22m from Mamelodi Hospital, and R2.4m from other hospitals,” Bloom said.
Bloom said some of these companies were linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela, Ramaphosa’s nephew from his first marriage, and were also reportedly close to the president’s chief adviser, Bejani Chauke.
“Maumela has been identified as a central figure in the Tembisa Hospital purchases that murdered whistle-blower Babita Deokaran flagged as ‘possibly corrupt, scoring R36m in contracts last year in one month alone.
“He also has ties to Bejani Chauke, who is Ramaphosa’s principal political adviser. They are neighbours in a plush Hyde Park complex within walking distance of Ramaphosa’s private residence,” Bloom said.
Sahpra CEO Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said the hospital’s management was co-operating with Sahpra officials.
According to media reports, the hospital paid R850m to alleged dodgy companies for overpriced goods, including R500 000 for 100 leather armchairs, face cloths at R230 a piece, and 200 skinny jeans for young girls at R2 500 each.
Bloom added that there were significant penalties for not being registered with Sahpra.
“My view is that non-compliant companies should be barred from doing any further business with the Gauteng Health Department,” he said.
The Star
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