Security costs at Gauteng hospitals have doubled even though patients are suffering from a hiring freeze at short-staffed hospitals.
According to an official reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, an astounding R72 million a year is spent on security at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH). This compares to an annual cost of R35 million three years ago.
Another example is R26 million a year for security at the smaller Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston.
The Department claims the enormous increase is due to statutory increases by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), but these have not risen greatly, and it appears that most of the money is going to the security company rather than the guards.
Most security guards earn less then R10 000 a month, but Vimba Security is getting paid about R22 000 a month for each of its 263 guards at CMJH who earn less than half this amount.
At Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Wolf Tactical Security is paid about R25 000 a month for each of its 88 guards who earn less than R10 000.
Although the Department claims proper procedures were followed in the appointment of security companies, it has admitted that previous contracts were irregularly awarded.
Hospital security is important, but these look like rip-off contracts that divert money that should be used to improve patient care.
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile has emphasised the need for value for money as budgets are tight.
The DA in Gauteng will continue to scrutinise hospital security contracts which should be reviewed to ensure they are cost-effective and free of corruption.