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TimesLIVE reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has found that three co-ordinated syndicates were at the centre of looting more than R2bn meant for health-care services at Tembisa Hospital.
This emerged on Monday morning when the SIU released its interim report on alleged large-scale corruption at the embattled hospital. Presenting the findings, SIU interim head advocate Andy Mothibi said serious maladministration and procurement fraud had been revealed. The hospital scandal came into the national spotlight after the assassination of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran in August 2021. Deokaran, who was the chief director of financial accounting in the Gauteng health department and who was shot dead in a hit. It later emerged that her murder was linked to attempts to stop her exposing the fraudulent network siphoning millions from the hospital. Mothibi said the SIU probe involved 207 service providers which traded with the hospital through 4,501 purchase orders (POs).
The SIU identified three major criminal networks behind the looting. “At least 15 current and former officials have been identified in activities including corruption, money-laundering, collusion and bid rigging. These range from entry-level clerks to senior management and the number is expected to grow as the probe continues,” Mothibi advised. He added that the SIU’s work would continue and further findings would be handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible criminal prosecution, while disciplinary action and civil recoveries would also follow.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yoliswa Sobuwa at TimesLIVE
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