Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite in English from Dr Jack Bloom MPL here.
One in three Gauteng public hospitals lack firm leadership as they do not have a permanent CEO.
This disturbing information was revealed by the Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
Of the province’s 37 public hospitals, 13 are currently run by acting CEOs. The worst case is Pholosong Hospital, which has been without a permanent CEO for nearly five years.
These are the hospitals that have gone the longest without stable leadership:
• Pholosong Hospital – CEO post vacant since 1 July 2021
• Tembisa Hospital – acting CEO since 22 August 2022
• Kalafong Hospital – acting CEO since 1 December 2022
• Pretoria West Hospital – acting CEO since 1 February 2023
• Tambo Memorial Hospital – acting CEO since 1 October 2024
• Sebokeng Hospital – CEO post vacant since 1 November 2024
Other hospitals with acting CEOs include the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Helen Joseph, Thelle Mogoerane, Jubilee, Tshwane District and Heidelberg hospitals.
This is another failed promise by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who pledged five years ago that all hospital CEO posts would be filled by December 2021.
These vacancies arose due to resignations, transfers, promotions, and deaths.
At Tembisa Hospital, former CEO Ashley Mthunzi was suspended on 22 August 2022 over tender corruption allegations and died in April 2024, yet the post remains unfilled.
It is unacceptable that the Gauteng Health Department has failed to appoint permanent CEOs to so many hospitals. Acting CEOs, no matter how capable, cannot provide the long-term leadership to turn around struggling institutions.
Meanwhile, patients endure long waiting times and deteriorating care.
The DA will push for all hospital CEO posts to be filled with competent leaders who can provide the best care to patients within the available resources.