“Mother Demands Justice as Tembisa Hospital Corruption Claims Son’s Life”

A Mother’s Grief Turns to Outcry

The haunting story of Shonisani Lethole, a young businessman who died at Tembisa Hospital after being left unfed for more than 100 hours while battling Covid-19, has reignited national outrage over corruption in South Africa’s healthcare system.

His mother, Patricia Lethole, is demanding urgent arrests and accountability, insisting that fraudulent activities at the hospital directly contributed to her son’s preventable death.

“Our family is still waiting for answers and justice. My son’s death was preventable, yet those responsible continue to avoid accountability,” Patricia told IOL.

The Fatal Timeline

In July 2020, Shonisani took to Twitter to appeal for help, addressing then-Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, describing a harrowing ordeal:

“The staff didn’t seem to care, and I didn’t eat for 48 hours.”

Five days later, he passed away. His cries for help were echoed by friends, colleagues, and social media users, sparking public pressure that led Mkhize to lodge a formal complaint with the Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba.

The Ombudsman’s 2021 report confirmed Shonisani had received “substandard and negligent” care, including being placed alongside both Covid-positive and negative patientsand near corpsesin a hospital unfit for treating the virus.

“This hospital failed in its core duty,” Professor Makgoba concluded.

Corruption Exposed

The tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of a broader corruption scandal. A Special Investigating Unit (SIU) interim report revealed that over R2 billion had been embezzled from Tembisa Hospital through fraudulent procurement.

This investigation was sparked by the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran in August 2021, who had exposed R850 million in suspicious payments across more than 200 companies. Subsequent investigations now estimate total losses exceeding R2 billion.

The SIU identified three corrupt syndicates involved in the fraud:

• Maumela Syndicate, linked to Hangwani Maumela, nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

• Mazibuko Syndicate, connected to Rudolph Mazibuko.

• Syndicate X, still under investigation.

At least 15 current and former hospital employees have been implicated, yet arrests and systemic reforms remain elusive.

Personal Pain and Community Fractures

Patricia Lethole spoke of the personal and communal devastation wrought by the scandal.

“Hangwani’s mother grew up less than 5 km from my village. I never thought I’d see family ties broken by greed on such a scale. Tembisa Hospital, meant to be a place of care, has taken too much from our community.”

She also highlighted the divisions the scandal has caused, stating that community trust has eroded and calling for symbolic justicesuch as naming hospital boardrooms after her son and Babita Deokaran.

“They are not coming back, but their names in the hospital would remind future decision-makers never to repeat these mistakes,” she said.

Despite offers from government officials to appoint her to the hospital board, Patricia declined, insisting that real systemic change is far more important than token gestures.

Public and Institutional Responsibility

The Lethole family is urging the public, media, churches, and civil society to hold government and hospital authorities accountable.

“Our hospitals belong not solely to the government but to us, the citizens. We cannot stay silent while corruption destroys lives,” Patricia said.

The deaths of Shonisani Lethole and Babita Deokaran are grim reminders of the deadly consequences of corruption in South Africa’s healthcare system, underscoring the urgent need for accountability, reform, and justice.

{Source: IOL}

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