Motsoaledi explains Sahpra's inaction in hospital scandal

HEALTH Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has stated that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has not made specific recommendations to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) regarding companies implicated in the R2 billion looting of public funds at Tembisa Hospital.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Motsoaledi's statement comes on the heels of an SIU report detailing a complex network of corruption, fraud, and maladministration in the hospital's procurement processes.

He was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Michele Clarke, who sought clarification on actions taken by SAHPRA concerning the investigation.

The SIU, in its report released earlier this year, revealed a network of corruption, fraud, and maladministration in procurement processes at Tembisa Hospital, involving three major syndicates responsible for the looting.

The looting involved 207 service providers who traded with the hospital under 4,501 purchase orders that were found to be irregular.

The SIU said it referred 25 matters to the SAHPRA relating to the contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.