Article: Lonwabo Mtyeku – GP News Media, Community Newsroom Images: Supplied
Johannesburg – 20 November 2025:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has intensified pressure on Premier Panyaza Lesufi, calling for immediate arrests and the recovery of millions allegedly looted from Tembisa Hospital. The party held a picket outside the Premier’s office earlier today, demanding decisive action against what it says is a deeply entrenched corruption network draining the province’s healthcare system.
Led by Dr Jack Bloom MPL, the DA’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, the demonstration sought to highlight what the party calls “unacceptable delays” in prosecuting those implicated in the scandal that cost murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran her life.
Dr Bloom was joined by DA Tembisa Constituency Heads Refiloe Ntšekhe MPL and Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL, who together handed over a memorandum outlining the party’s demands.
Key Demands from the DA
In its memorandum, the DA called for:
- Rapid liquidation of seized assets belonging to alleged kingpins, ensuring funds are channelled directly into improving hospital services.
- Criminal charges against all implicated individuals, including politically connected figures, without delay.
- Justice for Babita Deokaran, including arresting the mastermind behind her murder and strengthening protections for whistleblowers.
- Expanded investigations into procurement processes at all Gauteng hospitals.
- Public transparency, with full disclosure of findings and regular implementation updates.
- Overhaul of procurement systems to stop further siphoning of healthcare funds.
- The dismissal of Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, whom the DA accuses of enabling cover-ups by allowing former CFO Lerato Madyo to resign with full benefits despite her alleged role in suppressing procurement irregularities exposed by Deokaran.
According to Bloom, the evidence already obtained by the Asset Forfeiture Unit should be used to press charges immediately—most notably against businessman Hangwani Maumela, previously linked to lucrative and questionable contracts at the hospital.
“People Die When Health Money Is Stolen” – DA
Speaking at the picket, Dr Bloom said the Tembisa scandal represents only a fraction of a much wider crisis.
“The corruption is far wider than Tembisa Hospital, and it needs to be rooted out. The reality is that people die when health money is misappropriated on such a massive scale,” he said.
The DA also reiterated its longstanding argument that systemic corruption in Gauteng’s public health sector has directly contributed to staff shortages, equipment failures, and avoidable patient deaths.
A Call to Premier Lesufi
The party urged Premier Lesufi to demonstrate political will by accelerating criminal processes, reforming procurement, and removing officials alleged to have protected corrupt networks.
“Premier Lesufi must stop the stealing and start the healing,” Bloom said.
The DA maintains that swift arrests, transparent investigations, and recovery of stolen funds could restore public trust and help stabilise a health system under severe strain.
