Gauteng Health Department Fires Official Over Massive Corruption Scandal
- Sifiso Maseko, former head of infrastructure development at the Gauteng Department of Health, has been fired.
- Maseko is one of five officials dismissed for their role in the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment scandal.
- What was supposed to cost R50 million ended up costing taxpayers R588 million, leaving many South Africans unsurprised.
GAUTENG — Let me break this down for you: A member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has been dismissed from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) after being implicated in a massive corruption scandal. This isn’t just any scandal—it’s one that’s left many South Africans shaking their heads in disbelief.
Sifiso Maseko, who used to be the head of infrastructure development at the GDoH, was one of five officials axed for their involvement in the infamous AngloGold Ashanti Hospital refurbishment fiasco. You heard that right—this project spiraled out of control, with costs ballooning from the originally planned R50 million to an eye-watering R588 million. And guess what? The hospital still didn’t end up being ready for use.
From Suspension to Dismissal: Maseko’s Rocky Ride
Maseko’s troubles began back on January 25, 2022, when he was suspended alongside eight other government officials as part of an investigation into the matter. During this time, Maseko didn’t exactly sit idle. Instead, he jumped into politics, joining the MK Party and even serving as its Secretary-General. But by 2024, he decided to step down from his political role, choosing to return to his position at the GDoH once his suspension was lifted.
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Unfortunately for Maseko, returning to his old job didn’t save him from the consequences of his actions. The investigation into the hospital refurbishment saga eventually caught up with him, leading to his dismissal alongside four other officials.
How Did We Get Here? The R588 Million Fiasco Explained
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in 2021, the Gauteng Department of Health leased the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital, originally envisioning it as a potential critical care facility during the height of the pandemic. They set aside R50 million for renovations, thinking that would be more than enough to get the job done. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.
By the time the dust settled, the department had spent a staggering R588 million on the project, yet the hospital remained unusable. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there were additional setbacks. In February 2021, a fire destroyed equipment worth R23 million, further complicating matters. Fast forward to May 2024, and the hospital was finally opened—but with only 80 beds instead of the promised 181. By June, it admitted its first two patients, but by August, the health department had already terminated its lease with AngloGold Ashanti. Today, the hospital sits abandoned, reportedly taken over by illegal miners.
This isn’t the first financial hiccup for the GDoH. Just last September, it was revealed that the department had spent R13 million on salaries for suspended employees, including Maseko himself.
Social Media Reacts: Is Anyone Surprised Anymore?
While the dismissal of Maseko and his colleagues is a serious matter, it didn’t stop social media users from chiming in with their thoughts—and, let’s face it, some pretty sharp jokes. Many South Africans took to platforms like Twitter to express their frustration, disappointment, and, in some cases, dark humor about the situation.
One user, Msebenzi Mabe, quipped:
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“The comrade deserves promotion to the ANC. He has shown competency of the highest order in graft.”
Another commenter, Motho Feela, added:
“Now he can be elevated to the deputy SG of MKP. He has proved himself.”
Craig John weighed in with:
“He's doing great. He is doing fine by MKP standards.”
Ricardo Ferreira Da Silva had this to say:
“I would be more shocked if the headline read ‘MK party gets clean audit’ or ‘MK party fights against corruption.’ The MK party should have a course in corruption. They’d all have their PHDs.”
Ziona Lotz summed up the general sentiment:
“As South Africans, it doesn’t even shock us anymore. It is a given.”
And Bouga Koulibaly Mogorosi pointed out:
“They are the same as their leader, the former president.”
Finally, Muzi Mwandla offered his two cents:
“Zuma’s kids. Like father, like son.”
Gauteng Health Department Faces New Financial Woes
In related news, the Democratic Alliance has raised alarm bells about the financial state of the Gauteng Health Department. According to reports, the department is struggling so badly that it may soon be unable to pay its suppliers—or even its employees’ salaries.
The DA expressed deep concern over the department’s financial instability, warning that without immediate intervention, the situation could spiral further out of control. As it stands, the department is already dealing with significant backlash over the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital debacle, and now it faces the added pressure of ensuring it can keep its operations running smoothly.
For now, all eyes remain on the Gauteng Health Department as they attempt to navigate these turbulent waters. Will they find a way to recover, or will this be another chapter in a long line of controversies? Only time will tell.
