By Everson Luhanga
- A second fire hit just three days after the emergency unit burned down, raising fears of foul play at the hospital.
- The hospital’s acting CEO says CCTV footage is useless, as cameras were either broken or destroyed in the fires.
Tembisa Hospital is in crisis after two fires tore through its buildings, wiping out patient files and disrupting key services. While the full cost is still unknown, officials fear the damage could run into the millions.
On Wednesday morning, the hospital’s main outpatient department caught fire — just three days after flames gutted its emergency unit.
With both buildings badly damaged, services at the hospital were thrown into disarray. Patients were turned away and had to wait outside Zamokuhle Private Hospital for help.
The fires also wiped out an undisclosed number of patient files, leaving staff scrambling. The hospital’s acting CEO, Dr Rianna Louw, said there’s little chance investigators can rely on CCTV footage.
“I don’t think we will be able to rely on the CCTV footage coverage, because like I said, there is only that vague one that we got from a distance. So we will have to rely on the forensic investigation,” said Louw.
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni were called out on Wednesday to deal with the second blaze. Spokesperson Motalatala Modiba said the fire broke out in an area next to the emergency unit that burned on Saturday night.
The Democratic Alliance is now calling for a professional and speedy investigation into possible arson. DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said they want answers on whether criminals are trying to win tenders for the rebuild.
“This cannot be ruled out as we even have criminal syndicates who sabotage the water supply so they can benefit by providing water tankers,” said Bloom.
Bloom pointed out that arson was blamed for the massive fire at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital four years ago, but no one has ever been arrested.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla visited the hospital on Wednesday to assess the damage. He promised that services would continue in unaffected parts of the hospital and that a help desk had been set up to guide patients.
Pictured above: Tembisa Hospital where two fires have raised fears of sabotage.
Image source: Supplied by Gauteng Department of Health
