Ekurhuleni: The Parliamentary Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has expressed serious concern about the Special Investigating Unit’s report revealing the misappropriation of over R2 billion intended for healthcare services at Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
According to South African Government News Agency, the interim report released on Monday by SIU Head, Advocate Lekgoa Mothibi, included an analysis of 2,207 procurement bundles that uncovered significant cases of maladministration and procurement fraud. Mothibi stated that key officials from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) and Tembisa Hospital are accused of benefiting from corrupt payments that facilitated the irregular appointment of service providers. This involved money laundering and fraud through fronting and the use of false Supply Chain Management documentation.
The agency emphasized that none of these transactions led to the delivery of goods to Tembisa Hospital, but instead, all the money was funneled through fronts or conduits to beneficiaries, eventually being used to purchase assets. Dhlomo said the committee views these findings as serious and troubling, highlighting that they reveal acts of criminality. He noted that these actions represent a profound breach of public trust and an unacceptable diversion of essential health resources from the most vulnerable members of society.
The chairperson expressed support for the SIU’s ongoing efforts to identify those involved and recover the stolen funds. ‘Some of these officials supported the syndicates with impunity, and there must be consequences. Such criminality cannot go unpunished,’ he added.
Dhlomo also welcomed the referral of matters to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other law enforcement agencies. ‘The committee will monitor the progress of this closely to ensure that accountability is upheld at all levels. It is only through decisive corrective action that public confidence in the healthcare system can be restored.’
The chairperson said the committee will engage with the Department of Health and the SIU to receive further briefings on the findings and progress of this investigation. ‘The law should take its course for those implicated,’ said Dhlomo. The committee said it will maintain its oversight role to prevent such abuses from happening again and to protect the integrity of the health system for the benefit of all South Africans.
Meanwhile, the SIU announced that it will continue to diligently follow the money and seek justice by collaborating with law enforcement partners such as the NPA, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The SIU is authorized by the SIU Act to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or the Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigations that arises from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
The SIU has indicated that it expects to complete the investigation by November 2027. The agency has underscored the vital role of information and evidence provided by whistleblowers and said it will take the necessary measures to ensure their protection.