Judging by the poor state of healthcare in Gauteng, where financial mismanagement, systemic corruption and a complete lack of accountability are in the order of the day, implementing the NHI Act nationwide promises nothing good for the country. – Financial Mail (9 October 2025) Gauteng Health has a “legacy of scandal and systemic rot”. This is reflected in the latest Auditor-General report revealing a dire lack of internal controls and non-compliance with supply chain rules contributing to a R1.7bn deficit and critical medication shortages.
Despite allegations of extensive corruption in a report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU)
(2006 to 2010) “the problems have only metastasised”.
The Departments’ failures and scandals include the Life Esidimeni saga, where 144 mental health patients died due to negligence; the R50m personal protective equipment (PPE) scandal during COVID-19; the Tembisa scandal where a R2bn was looted; and a R588m contract to refurbish the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital,
“The fundamental premise of the NHI is noble: to create a single, state-run fund to procure and provide universal healthcare for all South Africans. However, the Gauteng experience forces a critical question: can a system proven to be so brazenly corrupt be entrusted with this monumental task?”