Gauteng Health rejects DA claims of medicine shortages at Charlotte Maxeke; MPL refuses to retract

The Gauteng Department of Health has rejected allegations that patients at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital were being denied essential medicines, while Democratic Alliance MPL Madeleine Hicklin has declined to withdraw her statement alleging shortages.

Who said what

On 16 July 2026, DA member of the Gauteng provincial legislature Madeleine Hicklin issued a statement saying patients at Charlotte Maxeke were unable to receive essential medicines. The Gauteng Department of Health responded by accusing Hicklin of spreading misleading information and of making factual errors.

Point of contention: ward numbering and accuracy

The province said hospital management found that Hicklin had incorrectly identified the affected location as “ward 5,” and noted that Charlotte Maxeke uses a three-digit ward numbering system. According to the department, Hicklin acknowledged this numbering mistake during engagement with hospital management but did not issue a public correction.

Hicklin stands by her claims

Hicklin said the ward-number error did not change the substance of her allegations. She told reporters her statement was based on conversations with the hospital’s nursing manager and quality assurance manager, who, she said, had raised concerns that patients were not receiving essential medicines both in hospital and as outpatients.

“There was a ward number mistake… I will not give any correction,” Hicklin said, according to the report.

Example cited by Hicklin

As evidence that her concerns reflected real access problems, Hicklin said that within 24 hours of her discussion with the nursing manager, skin cancer patients were suddenly able to access liquid nitrogen in the dermatology clinic a treatment she said had been unavailable there for eight months.

Department urges responsible oversight

The Gauteng Department of Health warned that unverified public allegations could cause panic and undermine public confidence in the health system. The department said while challenges exist, they are managed through established clinical and supply-chain processes, and it urged public representatives to verify information before making statements and to correct the record when inaccuracies are identified.

What remains

Hicklin indicated the dispute was ongoing and said she was preparing to release another statement about further medicines affecting patient care.