ActionSA in Merafong has expressed alarm at ongoing mismanagement, corruption, and lack of accountability, highlighted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) findings on the R600m AngloGold Ashanti Hospital scandal and the neglect of Khutsong South Clinic.
The party slammed the misuse of about R600m on AngloGold Ashanti Hospital, which was intended for urgent Covid-19 care but served only 147 patients. It further alleged that NJR Projects, linked to state capture-accused Edwin Sodi, and several other companies unlawfully profited from the scheme while healthcare services deteriorated.
“The AngloGold Ashanti Hospital was meant to provide urgent Covid-19 care, yet only 147 patients were treated despite the astronomical expenditure of R600m. Amongst companies that allegedly unlawfully benefited from this scheme is NJR Projects, linked to state capture-accused Edwin Sodi, alongside several others that pocketed millions whilst healthcare services collapsed.
The SIU’s findings confirm that procurement regulations were ignored, contracts were awarded without due diligence, and taxpayers’ money was wasted and, possibly, looted.
ActionSA noted that Chairperson Funzi Ngobeni and Regional Chairperson Thomas Mvundle visited the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital and Khutsong South Clinic last year to witness the government’s failures first-hand and push for accountability.
The party pointed out that despite repeated promises from the Gauteng government, the Khutsong South Clinic remains incomplete, forcing residents to travel long distances for medical care.
Last week, IOL reported that the SIU is pursuing companies that received R93m each as part of the R500m project to refurbish the Gauteng hospital leased by the provincial government during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The AngloGold Ashanti Hospital, formerly the Western Levels Deep Mine Hospital in Carletonville, was leased from Golden Core Trade and Invest by Gauteng's Health and Infrastructure Development departments.
The departments aimed to quickly secure additional hospital beds for Covid-19 patients in need of urgent care. The facility was originally intended to serve as a mental institution.
The refurbishment was initially estimated to cost R50m, with an additional R10m allocated for upgrading the residential accommodation on the hospital premises
The two departments initially estimated the refurbishment costs at R50m but ultimately spent over R500m, failing to explain how the budget skyrocketed beyond the original projection.
In a statement, ActionSA said they demand the immediate prosecution of implicated officials and companies, the full recovery of stolen public funds, a comprehensive forensic audit of all provincial and regional projects, and transparency with a clear timeline for completing both the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital and Khutsong South Clinic to ensure residents receive the healthcare they deserve.
The Star