Ashley Mthunzi, the CEO of Tembisa Hospital, was suspended; her death has been confirmed by the family and the Gauteng health department.
On Facebook, his spouse Lerato announced his death on Tuesday.
The department sent its sympathies to Mthunzi’s friends, family, and coworkers, wishing them well “during this trying time of loss.”
After an inquiry into severe claims of inappropriate procurement and payment of service providers at Tembisa Hospital was initiated, he was placed on precautionary suspension in August 2022.
This followed reports of questionable activities made by Babita Deokaran, a whistleblower who was killed on August 23, 2021.
He was forty-five.
Following his inclusion in the forensic investigation report on fraud, corruption, and maladministration at the hospital by the Special Investigating Unit, Mthunzi was placed under suspension.
The hospital supply chain management is accused of irregularly awarding tenders to over 200 service providers; the SIU is looking into this.
Babita Deokaran, a whistleblower, discovered irregular tenders of over R850 million at the same hospital in 2021.
Later on, she was killed.
Spokesman Motalatale Modiba said, “The Department extends the deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Dr. Mthunzi as they navigate through this difficult period of mourning.”
The funeral of Dr. Ashley Mthunzi
Mthunzi reportedly passed away following a brief illness.
The widow also disclosed that Mthunzi’s funeral will be in Winchester Hills on Saturday at 7 a.m.
The Gauteng Health Department said, “The Department extends the deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Dr. Mthunzi as they navigate through this difficult period of mourning.”
Controversy
A series of dubious purchases the hospital made while Mthunzi was in charge made him controversial.
These include spending about R500 000 on slim pants, which he denied, and purchasing 2000 hand towels for roughly R230 apiece as well as 100 leather recliners for R500 000.
In August 2022, News24 published an exposé revealing that the hospital had spent R2,500 a pair on 200 pairs of slim jeans.
One of the transactions that Babita Deokaran, the whistleblower, questioned was the deal for the jeans. It is said to have been one of the agreements that resulted in Deokaran’s demise.
CEO of Tembisa Hospital suspended
August 2022 saw the suspension of both Mthunzi and Lerato Madyo, the hospital’s chief financial officer (CFO).
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the hospital’s contracts implicated nine other officials, including Duduzile Nobugwana, an administration clerk; LH Mojela, a director of supply chain; Vuyani Chako, a physiotherapist; MA Maphumulo, a chief physiotherapist; NL Kobe, a financial clerk; DE Monnakgotla, an assistant manager of nursing; Puleng Mtuze, a financial clerk; Vuyikazi Mtwezi, a food service manager; and Dr. Radulescu, a medical officer.
The study, which was released in December 2022, discovered that the hospital had irregularly appointed dishonest vendors.
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