Millions back in kitty

GAUTENG: DEPARTMENT FAILS TO SPEND R725M AS HEALTH CARE CRUMBLES

- Sipho Mabena

The Gauteng department of health has yet again failed to spend its budget despite crumbling hospitals, staff vacancies, unpaid suppliers, and inadequate equipment.

The department is projected to underspend R725 million in the 2025-26 financial year ending 31 March, the Gauteng finance and economic development department has revealed in an official provincial legislature reply.

National Treasury has only approved a conditional rollover of R261 million of the unspent funds, meaning that R463.5 million will be returned to the national fiscus, according to Jack Bloom, the DA's spokesperson on health.

The failure to spend the health budget was indefensible when hospitals were crumbling, critical posts remain vacant, suppliers not paid on time and essential equipment is lacking, he said.

The under-expenditure was blamed on delays in the completion of projects and submission of invoices by contractors, and the delivery of machinery and equipment, Bloom said.