The security cost for the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has soared to R77 million a year compared to R22 million ten years ago, but the hospital CEO mysteriously pays extra guards to protect herself.
According to Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, Calvin and Family Security Services was awarded a three-year contract worth a whopping R232 million.
She says, “a formal competitor bidding process was followed in appointing the company”, which provides 275 security staff, including 248 low-paid Grade C officers.
This amounts to about R23 000 per worker a month, whereas most Grade C Security Officers get about R6000 a month.
It looks like yet another hospital security rip-off following huge increases in security at other hospitals as well. For instance, R72 million a year is spent on security at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, up from R35 million three years ago.
The strange thing is that Bara’s CEO Dr Nthabiseng Makgana is paying for extra guards and security vehicles – the Department says she “has elected, at her own expense, to secure additional protection based on her personal risk assessment and security needs.”
Dr Makgana is unpopular amongst many staff because she is seen as incompetent, and trade unions claimed she was insufficiently qualified when she was appointed last year. A successful CEO would not need to surround herself with extra security.
The DA in Gauteng will continue to press for an urgent review of soaring hospital security costs which divert money needed to improve patient care.