The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for a thorough review of security spending at Gauteng’s public hospitals, after revelations that security costs have surged from R655 million in 2022 to a staggering R2.54 billion this year.

The DA warns that this massive increase is diverting vital funds away from patient care, exacerbating staff shortages, long queues, and equipment failures.

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, raised the alarm in the Gauteng Legislature, citing a written response from Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The Department attributes the cost hike to “additional points of service provision” and increases in pay rates as set by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). However, Bloom points out that PSIRA-regulated guard wages have only risen by 7.38% annually—far below the nearly six-fold jump in overall security expenditure over three years.

Security now represents 3.8% of Gauteng’s R66 billion health budget, up from just 1.1% in 2022. Bloom specifically questioned the department about the security costs at major hospitals: R77 million annually for Chris Hani Baragwanath, R72 million for Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, and R26 million for Bertha Gxowa. The department responded that a security assessment report justifies the increased number of guards and that the rates align with PSIRA guidelines.

While security costs balloon, some guards report ongoing issues with late payments. At Tembisa Hospital, security personnel have staged protests and initiated a go-slow due to unpaid wages for three months. Mafoko Security Patrollers, responsible for George Mukhari Hospital, recently lost a court case after failing to pay employee provident fund contributions. There are also allegations that the security company at Bertha Gxowa Hospital is not paying staff on time and is failing to remit statutory deductions.

The department claims it uses a monthly performance monitoring tool to ensure timely and lawful payments, but evidence suggests this system is ineffective.

Bloom expressed suspicion of corruption, stating that many security companies appear to be overcharging while underpaying their workers. He emphasized that the DA will continue to pressure the department to review security contracts for value and efficiency.