By Kaya 959 Reporter
The DA is calling on Gauteng officials to investigate allegations of a car theft syndicate operating at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.
Jack Bloom, the DA’s health spokesperson, says staff staged a picket on Tuesday. The nurses accused management of ignoring their complaints about cars being stolen.
“I have spoken to nurses who tell me that two or more cars are stolen daily,” he says. The nurses say they are constantly worried about the safety of their vehicles
According to Bloom, staff members have had to park their cars in different places following a fire at the hospital in April. Some workers say they park on the street outside.
The thefts occur despite the hospital spending a whopping R40.1 million annually on security, Bloom adds.
ALSO READ: R2.6bn paid for Gauteng hospital security contracts that expired 5 years ago
Millions spent on security
Bloom says the hospital is forking out R2.9 million for security guards each month. A further R450 000 is spent on electronic camera surveillance.
This was revealed in an official reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature earlier this year.
Bloom adds that other thefts at the hospital this year include copper pipes worth R30 million. Thieves also made off with items worth about R200 000.
“There has been an inexcusable delay in new tenders for security at all Gauteng hospitals. The original two-year contracts expired five years ago but have been irregularly renewed on a month-by-month basis at a total cost of R2.6 billion. The department can save a lot of money by regular reviews of security contracts to ensure value for money and effectiveness,” Bloom says.
He’s urged Gauteng Health to urgently review its hospital security contracts to ensure value for money and effectiveness.
“Staff and patients at our hospitals should feel safe at all times and not have to worry about thefts or violent attacks which are disgustingly prevalent,” Bloom says.
