‘Possible link to murder of Babita Deokaran’: Gauteng Health CFO and Tembisa Hospital CEO suspended

The Gauteng Provincial Government temporarily suspended Lerato Madyo, the provincial health department’s chief financial officer (CFO), and Ashley Mthunzi, Tembisa Hospital’s head, with immediate effect on Friday, 26 August.

TOP GAUTENG HEALTH OFFICIALS SUSPENDED

The Gauteng government said the two officials were suspended to ensure their presence in the office does not hamper an investigation into allegations of improper procurement and payment of service providers at Tembisa Hospital.

READ: Scandal-hit Gauteng hospital spent R500k on SKINNY JEANS

“Given the seriousness of the allegations and the possible link to the murder case of Babita Deokaran – former chief director of finance, exemplary public servant and courageous whistleblower who was brutally killed a year ago – the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been appointed to investigate these allegations with urgency,” read the statement.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura welcomed the precautionary suspensions and confirmed the allegations have been referred to the SIU for an urgent forensic investigation.

According to a News24 investigation, which was published around the anniversary date of Deokaran’s murder, the late whistleblower discovered a surge in spending at Tembisa Hospital and called for a stop to the payments and an urgent investigation, which never materialised.

According to News24, Deokaran told Madyo she believed her life was in danger just days before her murder, however, the CFO allegedly did nothing about the concerns raised.

ANOTHER OFFICIAL THREATENED

Five suspects – alleged hitmen – were arrested for Deokaran’s murder and they are currently in the process of applying for bail, which the State is opposing.

“We want all those responsible for plotting and carrying out the killing of Babita Deokaran to be brought to book. We want the corrupt in government and their cahoots in the private sector to face the consequences of their evil deeds,” said the Gauteng Premier.

Makhura went further and said another official, Department of Health Head of Department, Dr Nomonde Nolutshungu, recently received threats from anonymous sources via email.

Nolutshungu opened a criminal case with the police. Makhura said he told the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, to address the threats and find those responsible.

Earlier this year, another government official received a threat related to the Deokaran case. A bullet with a letter was inserted in Phindile Baleni’s letterbox – she is the Director-General of the Presidency.

The letter warned her to advise “the justice” to release the suspects in the Deokaran case and advise the President to put a halt to State Capture investigations.

READ MORE: Bullet in letterbox: Death threats made against Presidency Director-General

“The State has a duty to protect whistle blowers and upright public servants. We will never surrender to the crooks and corrupt elements and will do everything in our power to fight corruption and state capture with every iota of our being,” said Makhura.

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