The Auditor-General has been tasked with conducting a detailed probe into the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital fire repair project, following concerns raised by the Public Protector over possible financial mismanagement and prolonged delays in the restoration process.
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has referred her findings after identifying ongoing weaknesses in project management, underspending of allocated funds, and delays by both the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Infrastructure Development.
The focus of the Auditor-General’s review will be the management of public funds between 2021 and 2024, including whether procurement processes and National Treasury financial regulations were fully complied with during the repair programme.
According to the findings, only a small portion of the budget allocated for the hospital’s fire recovery was spent over several years, raising concerns about inefficiency and stalled implementation. The report also suggests that administrative shortcomings may have contributed to rising costs and prolonged disruption of services at the major health facility.
Gcaleka confirmed the escalation of the matter, saying: “I also refer the matter to the Auditor-General to consider audits for the financial years mentioned.”
The Auditor-General is now expected to determine whether the delays and underspending point to deeper irregularities in planning and execution, and whether any corrective action is required.
The development places renewed scrutiny on the handling of one of Gauteng’s most critical infrastructure recovery projects following the 2021 blaze that severely damaged the hospital.