The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) notes with grave concern the shocking revelations by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi following the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into large-scale corruption at Tembisa Hospital — where more than R2 billion in public funds were allegedly looted under the tenure of the late CEO, Dr Ashley Mthunzi.
We commend Minister Motsoaledi for his principled and decisive stance that death cannot extinguish accountability. The Minister’s pledge that the state will pursue the estate of the late Dr Mthunzi to recover stolen public funds is an important step toward justice. As the Minister said, “the fact that he is late does not mean that the case is over, is closed.”
1. Accountability Must Extend Beyond the Grave
SAFTU strongly supports the Minister’s declaration that those implicated in the plundering of public resources — whether living or deceased — must face justice.
If credible evidence proves that Dr Mthunzi personally benefited from corruption, the state must move against his estate to recover every cent that belongs to the people of South Africa. This must apply equally to all co-conspirators, service providers, and public officials involved in the syndicate.
2. Interim SIU Report Welcomed — But Full Transparency Still Outstanding
SAFTU notes that the SIU released an interim report in September 2025, detailing widespread tender manipulation, price inflation, and non-compliance at Tembisa Hospital, amounting to over R2.04 billion in irregular expenditure.
However, the full and final report has not yet been made public, and investigations are continuing under Proclamation No R136 of 2023.
We therefore call on the SIU and the Department of Health to:
• Publish the full report once complete, including all names of implicated officials, companies, and intermediaries.
• Provide quarterly public updates on progress with prosecutions, asset recoveries, and disciplinary actions.
• Table the report in Parliament, ensuring that elected representatives and the public can exercise oversight.
Transparency is essential to rebuild public trust in our health system and to demonstrate that no one — regardless of rank or status — is above the law.
3. Aggressive Asset Recovery and Criminal Prosecution
SAFTU welcomes the initial asset preservation orders already secured by the SIU, reportedly freezing luxury properties and vehicles linked to the corruption network. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.
We demand:
• A comprehensive recovery drive targeting all assets purchased through corrupt proceeds.
• Expedited prosecution of living conspirators and complicit suppliers.
• Civil claims against estates and entities that unlawfully benefited from public contracts.
The plunder of health budgets directly robs working-class communities of medicine, equipment, and lives. Those responsible must not find refuge in bureaucratic delay or posthumous sympathy.
4. Protecting Whistle-blowers and Health Workers
SAFTU reminds the public that this scandal follows the murder of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran, who courageously exposed suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital. Her sacrifice must not be in vain.
We call for:
• Urgent protection mechanisms for whistle-blowers across all state institutions.
• Independent reporting channels within the Department of Health to expose procurement corruption safely.
• Restorative justice for workers who were sidelined or victimised for resisting corruption.
5. Systemic Reform and Oversight in Public Procurement
The Tembisa Hospital saga reveals deep structural weaknesses in procurement and oversight throughout the health sector.
SAFTU demands a national audit of hospital supply chains and the creation of an independent procurement oversight board comprising organised labour, civil society, and professional bodies to monitor contracts in real time.
The Health Department’s decision to convene all hospital CEOs for an anti-corruption workshop with the SIU is a positive start. But workshops alone will not stop looting. Only transparent, worker-driven accountability will.
SAFTU stands firmly behind Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s resolve to hold every individual and estate accountable for the theft of public resources at Tembisa Hospital.
We call on law enforcement, Parliament, and the public to unite in demanding that the full SIU report be released, that every stolen rand be recovered, and that no corrupt official — living or dead — escapes accountability.
This scandal is not merely about money — it is about justice for the poor, dignity for health workers, and the moral integrity of our democracy.
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media enquiries, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
0661682157
