By Everson Luhanga
Ashley Mthunzi, the suspended former CEO of Tembisa Hospital – disparagingly called the “Hospital of Death” by locals – has died.
Muthunzi’s wife, Lerato, wrote on her Facebook page: “In loving memory. It is a great sadness to announce the passing of Dr Ashley Mthunzi. Born on 2 June 1978 and died on 23 April 2023.”
A close family friend told Scrolla.Africa that Mthunzi died after a short illness.
Several people came forward with messages of condolences for Lerato.
“Deepest condolences sis Lerato and your family, may you and your family find comfort in the Lord and your husband’s soul rest in eternal peace,” wrote one Facebook user.
In May last year, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko told the provincial legislature that they expected suspended Tembisa CEO Mthunzi to be charged in August 2023.
Mthunzi was placed on precautionary suspension amid allegations of a possible link to the murder of Gauteng health department financial accountant and whistleblower Babita Deokaran in August 2021.
A News24 report alleged that the hospital spent almost R850-million on irregular payments, including almost R480,000 to buy 200 pairs of skinny jeans, which amounts to R2,500 per pair.
The jeans were bought from Inez Chaste, which was formed just a month earlier and is one of 10 firms owned by retired football star Themba Tshabalala and his wife Evelyn.
Mthunzi denied the allegations.
When these allegations were levelled against him, he said that the money was used to buy suture material and that a coding error was to blame – the code for skinny jeans should have been a code for monocryl sutures.
Nkomo-Ralehoko was quoted as saying: “The investigation is conducted through a tracker arrangement. The Special Investigating Unit is involved, as are the Office of the Premier and the Department of Health. We have an MOU that was entered into between the Office of the Premier and the SIU.”
“Everything is in place, and there are no delays hence they are going to be charged in August.”
Tembisa Hospital – disparagingly called the “Hospital of Death” by residents in the area – is known for overcrowding and poor service. A Hellopeter survey of 59 people gave it one and a half stars out of five.
Pictured above: Ashley Mthunzi.
Image source: File
