R3 million has been paid to four Tembisa Hospital officials who were suspended with pay and disciplined for corrupt activities in the awarding of contracts that murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran tried to stop.
This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
Of the nine implicated officials, three had the sanction of dismissal, three resigned before the conclusion of the disciplinary process, two retired, and the contract of another one expired.
They were charged with gross misconduct – failure to comply with Supply Chain Management Policy, and/or appointment of service providers identified as fraudulent.
The high payouts are due to delays in the disciplinary process – it took 18 months for one official who pocketed R1.1 million for the 18 months he was suspended. Two others got R800 000 each for 11 months suspended, and another was paid R300 000 for 10 months.
According to the department, the delays were because they had to gather sufficient evidence to be able to institute disciplinary action.
No criminal charges have been laid because the SIU and Hawks are still investigating.
It is disappointing that the department was so slow in disciplining officials and making huge payouts to them while they were suspended.
Resignations should not be accepted when there are disciplinary charges as there needs to be a record against wrongdoers, otherwise they get reappointed elsewhere. Were they allowed to go because they could have implicated the real mastermind behind the massive corruption at Tembisa Hospital?
The DA in Gauteng will continue to push for criminal prosecutions and the unmasking of those who ordered Babita’s assassination. Discipline should be speedy and efficient, without escape holes for those evading accountability.