Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Michele Clarke MP.
The DA will request that the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on health regarding allegations that the acting head of the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), Arnold Malotana, and two senior officials, Edgar Motha and Sheriff Lecholo, accepted bribes to manipulated tender processes and ensure that BAS Medxpress were rewarded two tenders.
According to AmaBhungane, a whistleblower revealed that the three health officials received more than R11 million to leak sensitive information regarding upcoming contracts and tenders to BAS Medxpress.
The Minister needs to explain exactly what consequence management has followed these allegations – which are being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) – and why Malotana and his co-conspirators have not been suspended as the acting head of GDoH pending the outcome of the investigations.
GDoH is a prime example of the chaos and rot that permeates the public health sector. The chaos in Gauteng will be the tip of the iceberg should the ANC manage to bulldoze the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill through Parliament. With access to a bigger pot of gold, cronies and cadres will jump at the opportunity to line their pockets, as well as the pockets of corrupt health officials that have no qualms about sacrificing the health of South Africa’s poor and vulnerable so they can live in stolen luxury.