Tembisa hospital scandal: billions looted as patients suffer

Tembisa Hospital, one of Gauteng’s busiest public health facilities, has become a symbol of how corruption and weak governance cripple service delivery in South Africa.

For years, the hospital has faced severe overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and staff shortages, making it challenging to deliver quality healthcare to the growing population it serves. The Gauteng Department of Health has promised reforms, including tighter financial controls, new management oversight, and investments to expand emergency, maternal, and child health services.

But these promises have been overshadowed by revelations of a multi-billion-rand corruption scheme.

The scandal was first exposed by whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who was assassinated in 2021 after raising alarms about suspicious procurement at the hospital.

Investigations have since revealed that billions were siphoned off through irregular tenders linked to two powerful syndicates, the Maumela and Mazibuko networks.

Contracts were inflated, bogus suppliers were paid, and procurement rules ignored.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has since frozen assets worth hundreds of millions, including luxury homes, expensive vehicles, and other high-end possessions.

Businessman Hangwani Maumela was arrested earlier this year in connection with R326 million worth of irregular deals.

Critics argue that the looting robbed patients of essential services, medicines, and equipment, worsening conditions in a hospital already struggling to cope. “This is money that should have saved lives, but instead it funded lavish lifestyles,” said one health activist.

While some officials have been suspended or resigned, there is concern that accountability has been slow and incomplete. Civil society groups are calling for swift prosecutions and lasting reforms to ensure public health funds are protected.