By Levy Masiteng
The Democratic Alliance is calling for an urgent review of hospital food contracts in Gauteng, following revelations that 23 hospitals in the province spent R7.1 million on food from Free State companies.
DA health spokesperson and MPL Jack Bloom said the review was to ensure reliable, cost-effective delivery from local suppliers, promoting competition and transparency.
The Gauteng health department has explained that they were piggybacking on Limpopo and Free State provincial government contracts due to inability to secure local suppliers.
However, the DA has alleged that some of the companies were not food suppliers.
“This is a poor excuse. I suspect corruption is involved and someone is getting a kickback from fishy companies in Limpopo and Gauteng, some of which are not even food companies,” said Bloom.
Gauteng health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said in a written reply to questions from Bloom that hospitals purchased a range of items, including fresh produce, dairy essentials and pantry staples.
Bloom raised concerns about the cost-effectiveness and logistics of transporting food from the Free State to hospitals across Gauteng.
“Hospitals all over Gauteng obtained food from the Free State, including as far north as the Mamelodi, Steve Biko, Pretoria West and Weskoppies hospitals. Food was even transported all the way to the George Mukhari Hospital in Garankuwa,” he said.
Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba told Inside Politics that the request for the review was unnecessary.
“They (DA) know very well that the department had long indicated that the participation on the contracts was a temporary measure while our own contracts were being finalised,” he said.
Modiba explained that if the department had not joined existing contracts from other provinces, it would have incurred significant regular expenses.
“In the first 100 days of the 7th administration – July to September – the GDoH was able to finalise six tenders for supply of various items including processed vegetables, fish and chicken products, eggs, bread, rolls and buns.
“The six awarded contracts will run for three-year period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027. This will help ensure a stable and reliable food supply across health facilities in the province,” he said.
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