Soaring R2.5bn Security Bill Raises Alarms at Gauteng Hospitals as Patient Care Falters

Public hospitals in Gauteng are under growing scrutiny after it was revealed that security costs have ballooned to an eye-watering R2.54 billion this year—up from just R655 million in 2022. This nearly four-fold increase has sparked concern over spending priorities, especially as patient care in many of these hospitals continues to deteriorate.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has flagged this trend as both unsustainable and misaligned with urgent healthcare needs. According to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom, the escalating expenditure on security is diverting funds from core services like staffing, equipment maintenance, and reducing patient backlogs.

“This squeezes out money needed to improve patient care,” Bloom said in a statement on Monday.

Spending Outpaces Inflation, Raises Questions

In a written response to questions in the provincial legislature, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko attributed the rising security bill to more service points and increased tariffs regulated by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). However, Bloom challenged this explanation, pointing out that PSIRA’s annual rate hikes have only been around 7.38%—far less than the explosive rise in actual spending.

Security now consumes 3.8% of the health department’s R66 billion budget, up from 1.1% just three years ago. Major hospitals like Chris Hani Baragwanath and Charlotte Maxeke are reportedly spending over R70 million each annually on private security services.

Unpaid Guards, Alleged Mismanagement

Despite these massive contracts, not all is well for those on the ground. At several facilities, including Tembisa Hospital, security guards have gone unpaid for months, prompting protests and go-slows. Mafoko Security Patrollers at George Mukhari Hospital were recently taken to court for failing to contribute to workers’ provident funds. Similar allegations are surfacing at Bertha Gxowa Hospital.

The department claims it uses performance monitoring tools to ensure security firms comply with payment obligations. But Bloom says this system appears broken.

“Many security companies seem to be grossly over-charging while underpaying their workers,” he said.

DA Demands Accountability and Transparency

The DA is calling for a full review of all hospital security contracts in the province, suggesting that possible corruption and mismanagement are siphoning off funds meant for patient care.

“Hospital patients suffer because of a lack of budget to fix staff shortages, long queues, and broken equipment,” Bloom warned.

The Gauteng Department of Health has yet to respond to these concerns, despite repeated requests for comment.

{Source: The Citizen}

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