New documents reveal Gauteng’s health department paid R36.4 million to two companies connected to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s sons for hospital fire safety systems, with an additional R12.6 million still owed. The contracts covered maintenance of fire alarms and sprinklers in public hospitals – critical infrastructure meant to safeguard patients and medical staff.
Despite the substantial payments, multiple hospitals continue failing fire safety inspections, exposing dangerous gaps between funding and results. The ongoing non-compliance suggests either poor work quality or possible mismanagement of the contracts awarded during Mashatile’s tenure as Gauteng ANC chairperson.
The deals, spanning several years, show enduring government business relations with the Mashatile-linked firms. Health experts warn that faulty fire systems risk catastrophic consequences in overcrowded medical facilities where evacuation is already challenging.
Opposition parties and transparency advocates are demanding investigations into:
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The tender award process
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Quality verification of completed work
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Possible conflicts of interest involving the deputy president’s family
“This isn’t just about wasted money – it’s about lives,” said DA Gauteng health spokesperson Jack Bloom. “When sprinklers fail during a fire, we’re talking about preventable deaths.”
The Gauteng health department acknowledged the payments but couldn’t explain the persistent safety failures. Mashatile’s office declined comment, referring queries to provincial authorities.
The scandal emerges as South Africa grapples with crumbling health infrastructure, with recent fire incidents at hospitals highlighting the urgency of proper safety systems. Public Protector investigators are reportedly examining whether procurement rules were circumvented to benefit politically connected individuals.
With R12.6 million still payable, pressure mounts for contract suspension until compliance is verified. The case spotlights systemic risks in South Africa’s tender system, where politically-linked companies often secure critical service contracts despite performance concerns.
