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The Public Servants Association (PSA) is extremely concerned following a recent exposé by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which uncovered widespread corruption at Tembisa Tertiary Hospital in Gauteng, and exposed deep flaws in South Africa’s public procurement system.
 
The SIU’s investigation, authorised under Proclamation 136 of 2023, revealed that over 111 officials were implicated in irregular procurement practices and collusion with corrupt syndicates. These unlawful activities led to the siphoning of billions of rands through fraudulent contracts.
 
The PSA commends the SIU for its decisive action in cancelling those contracts and initiating disciplinary processes. Cancellation alone is, however, not enough. Accountability must follow, and those responsible must face the full might of the law. This scandal further underscores the urgent need for robust whistleblower protection mechanisms, especially in light of the murder of Babita Deokaran, whose courageous actions helped expose the corruption. There is a need for systemic reforms to ensure transparency and oversight throughout the procurement lifecycle. Swift implementation of the Public Procurement Act, with enhanced visibility and accountability measures, is necessary.
 
The revelations at Tembisa Hospital is a mirror of what is happening across the public sector where corrupt and greedy persons are unduly enriching themselves at the expense of South Africans. The PSA reiterates the Union’s longstanding call for the insourcing of non-specialised services such as security and cleaning across all public institutions. Outsourcing continues to expose workers to exploitation and undermines service delivery, transparency, and compliance with labour laws.
 
The PSA calls for consequence management for those implicated in corruption. Corrupt officials, service providers and syndicates must face the wrath of the law. The fact that trade unions are not allowed to observe these processes has created fertile ground for corrupt activities. The same applies to the appointment of senior government officials. The PSA urges the National Treasury to act decisively to protect public funds as the state continues to lose billions of rands under its watch. This trend undermines and threatens the capability of the state to provide much needed services to the needy and vulnerable. The PSA calls on the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Department of Health to act decisively to restore public trust, protect workers, and ensure that public funds are used responsibly and ethically.

Issued by Public Servants Association