By Dylan Bettencourt
- Gauteng Health paid R91-million to two companies tied to Mashatile’s sons for fire systems while hospitals remain unsafe for patients.
- Former employees say the two companies operated as one, even sharing staff, despite being listed as competitors for the hospital tenders.
Families who rely on Gauteng’s public hospitals face the same fear: a fire could break out at any moment, and safety systems will not save them.
That’s because not one of the province’s 37 public hospitals meets fire safety laws. Yet two companies linked to deputy president Paul Mashatile’s sons have already been paid R91-million to do the work.
The latest figures were revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply in the legislature, News24 reported.
Ngwato and Manzi Group (NMG) and Modipadi Nokaneng won places on a hospital fire systems panel in 2022. Together they have been paid R46.6-million and are still owed R44-million.
NMG, where Mashatile’s sons Thabiso Mashatile and Tinyiko Mvelase once served as directors, was paid R17.9-million and is owed R94,000. Modipadi Nokaneng received R28.7-million and is still owed R43.9-million.
Although the two men quit as directors, reports show they remained involved in running NMG. The two firms even shared office space, staff and branding, according to a former employee.
Payments also covered things like fax rentals for a mortuary, renovations of unknown purpose, and water repairs at South Rand Hospital.
The companies have also failed to pay R219,000 owed to retrenched workers since last year.
Opposition health spokesperson Jack Bloom said it was suspicious that so much money was spent while hospitals remain unsafe.
Mashatile’s sons and the companies insist the tenders were fairly awarded and that they delivered the services.
Pictured above: Paul Mashatile.
Image source: File
