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The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations, Dr Mmusi Maimane, has written to the Office of the Public Protector (OPP) requesting an investigation into alleged irregular appointments, maladministration and financial misconduct at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape.
 
Dr Maimane said the committee received confidential information from a whistleblower. The whistleblower claims that the acting CEO who was in charge during the committee’s visit has been removed without a clear reason. The whistleblower also alleges that a new CEO, who was previously suspended for the alleged misappropriation of funds, has now been reinstated. Concerns were also raised about irregular tender processes involving land use on the hospital premises.
 
Dr Maimane said the information before the committee paints a worrying picture of a hospital struggling with serious challenges. These include chronic staff shortages, long-standing infrastructure problems and limited resources, all of which undermine the quality of healthcare provided. “The Minister of Health needs to seriously reflect on the state of this hospital. Frere Hospital is a referral facility for four district municipalities, serving about 3.2 million people in mostly rural areas, yet it continues to face overwhelming patient volumes,” he said.
 
He added that the committee has previously recommended that key leadership positions at the hospital be filled urgently. The CEO position had remained vacant for more than five years, which the committee found unreasonable and harmful to effective accountability and decision-making.
 
“We are asking the Public Protector to intervene because our recommendations have not been implemented,” Dr Maimane said.
 
Dr Maimane emphasised that the investigation is necessary to address any human factors that may be disrupting the hospital’s operations through maladministration.
 
“Many people are suffering while those responsible for the hospital’s administration are failing to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate care. We cannot allow another situation similar to the Tembisa Hospital incident to occur in the Eastern Cape,” concluded Dr Maimane.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of teh Standing Committee on Appropriations, Dr Mmusi Maimane