Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has ordered a review of excessive hospital security following the DA exposure of ballooning costs.
She said this at a meeting last week of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee with the management of Tara Mental Hospital, where it was revealed that their new security contract includes 46 guards – far exceeding their assessed need for only 26 guards.
The MEC admitted the security review was triggered by my question in the Gauteng Legislature which revealed that total security costs had soared from R655 million in 2022 to an astounding R2.54 billion this year.
Tara hospital now pays R14 million a year for the new security contract, compared to R4.2 million previously with 21 guards. Despite their internal assessment recommending 26 guards, they are forced to pay for 46 guards as determined by the Gauteng Health Department.
This means they are paying about R5 million a year for 20 guards they do not need. They could better use this money to fill the vacancies for 13 professional nurses as the hospital cannot use 50 of its 137 beds because of staff shortages.
These unused beds are needed urgently as there is a long list of mental patients who desperately need to be admitted.
It is a clear example of excessive security costs squeezing out service delivery.
The DA in Gauteng will continue to hold the Health MEC accountable and will push for an end to rip-off security contracts so the budget goes to where it is most needed.