Outrage as Gauteng Health Department reinstates officials implicated in R500 million scandal

Gauteng Health Department’s controversial decision to reinstate officials involved in the R500 million AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment scandal has caused uproar among opposition parties.

Alan Fuchs, a member of the DA Gauteng Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), slammed Premier Panyaza Lesufi for allowing these individuals to return to work before their disciplinary hearings were concluded.

The project, originally budgeted at R50 million, ended up costing taxpayers a shocking R500 million, with the hospital now abandoned and stripped.

Fuchs criticised the government for its reckless spending and lack of accountability in the refurbishment project, claiming nine suspended officials from the Health and Infrastructure departments were unfairly used as scapegoats by political leaders who approved the project.

Despite being found guilty of misconduct, these officials were allowed to spend 33 months at home on full salaries before being fired.

Fuchs demanded answers from Premier Lesufi, questioning the decision to reinstate the officials before the disciplinary findings were released.

The DA Gauteng has vowed to prioritise transparency and accountability in governance, promising strict consequence management to combat corruption and hold officials accountable.

Fuchs blasted the ANC government for its governance failures, asserting that only the DA can fix Gauteng.

Despite attempts to seek clarification from Premier Lesufi, Fuchs expressed disappointment in the lack of response, affirming the commitment to continue holding the government accountable for its actions.

He said reinstatement of officials implicated in the scandal has raised concerns about the inconsistent approach taken by different government departments in handling the situation, leaving many questioning the ethics and integrity of the Gauteng Health Department.