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The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Hospital security bill soars to R2.5bn amid patient care crisis
The DA noted that PSIRA's annual rate increase stands at only 7.38%, far below the near six-fold rise in overall security spending. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has voiced concern over soaring security costs at Gauteng public hospitals, which have skyrocketed from R655 million in 2022 to R2.54 billion in 2025 — nearly quadrupling in just three years. According to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom, the rising security expenditure is diverting much-needed funds from critical healthcare services. 'This squeezes out money needed to improve patient care,' said Bloom in a statement on Monday. Multi-million rand contracts under scrutiny Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed in a written reply to the provincial legislature that the increase is due to 'additional points of service provision' and higher rates regulated by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). However, Bloom questioned the justification, noting that PSIRA's annual rate increase stands at only 7.38%, far below the near six-fold rise in overall security spending. 'As a percentage of the total Gauteng health budget, security costs have gone up from 1.1% in 2022 to 3.8% of this year's allocation of R66 billion,' he pointed out. Security bills for major hospitals are among the highest. Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, and Bertha Gxowa hospitals are paying R77 million, R72 million, and R26 million respectively to private security firms each year. In response to Bloom's inquiry, the department stated: 'The security assessment report conducted justifies the additional increase in the number of guards, and it is in line with the PSIRA rates.' ALSO READ: Mpumalanga primary school pupils treated for food poisoning after eating oranges Guards unpaid despite soaring costs Despite these massive outlays, some security workers are not being paid on time. At Tembisa Hospital, guards have gone on a go-slow, protesting after not being paid for three months. At George Mukhari Hospital, Mafoko Security Patrollers recently lost a court case over failing to pay provident fund contributions. Similar allegations have surfaced at Bertha Gxowa Hospital, where workers claim deductions are not reaching the required funds. Although the department insists it uses 'a monthly performance monitoring tool to ensure that security workers are paid on time and according to legislation,' Bloom said, 'this does not appear to be effective.' ALSO READ: Hospital horror: Cops in frantic search for two premature babies snatched from incubators Calls for accountability Bloom suspects widespread corruption. 'Many security companies seem to be grossly over-charging while underpaying their workers,' he said. The DA has vowed to continue pushing the provincial health department to review the escalating costs. 'Hospital patients suffer because of a lack of budget to fix staff shortages, long queues, and broken equipment,' Bloom warned. The Citizen has contacted the Gauteng Department of Health for further comment but had not received a response at the time of publication. NOW READ: Suspect allegedly confesses to Tembisa Hospital fire
Daily Maverick
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Tribunal's landmark ruling exposes motor repair workshop in cautionary tale for consumers
The National Consumer Tribunal has made a finding favourable to a consumer whose car has been held by Cape Town Repair Services, but it's a hollow win as the business has ignored the ruling. In a ruling that underscores the growing intolerance for shoddy service in South Africa's automotive sector, the National Consumer Tribunal has come down hard on Cape Town Motor Repairs. It imposed a R100,000 administrative fine and ordered a R77,000 refund to Mbulelo Tongo, whose vehicle languished in the workshop for two years despite substantial payments and repeated promises that it would be fixed. Yet for Tongo, the victory has brought little relief, as he is still waiting for his money and the return of his car. Tongo, a resident of Khayelitsha, found himself in a drawn-out battle after his vehicle was damaged in a collision. He entrusted his car to Cape Town Motor Repairs in Table View in March 2023, agreeing to a repair quote of R124,900.17. Tongo paid a R60,000 deposit with the understanding that repairs would be completed within four to six weeks — by 24 April 2023 at the latest. But on 26 April, two days after the car should have been returned, the repair shop requested an additional R10,000 to R15,000 for suspension work. Mechanical repairs were reportedly completed a week later, but more parts and a test drive were still pending. Between May and June that year, Tongo paid a further R17,000, bringing his total outlay to R77,000. Despite repeated assurances, the car was never delivered and Tongo's attempts to recover it proved fruitless. Tribunal's findings The tribunal found Cape Town Motor Repairs was in breach of the Consumer Protection Act, which guarantees consumers the right to timely service and prompt communication regarding delays. It delivered a ruling on 25 March this year, two years since Tongo's ordeal started, and concluded that he had suffered as a result of the supplier's actions. Despite Tongo having paid a significant amount of money for repairs, Cape Town Motor Repairs treated him 'dishonestly and contemptuously', the tribunal said. The tribunal's decision was unequivocal: Cape Town Motor Repairs must refund Tongo R77,000; it must pay an administrative fine of R100,000 within 60 business days; and the vehicle must be returned to Tongo in the same condition as when it was collected. Tongo said the ruling was a meaningful victory, not only for him but for countless consumers exploited by service providers acting with impunity. 'It shows that the law can protect consumers and that suppliers who disregard their obligations can and will be held accountable,' he said. However, he also said he had not received any payment and his vehicle had not been returned. 'The worst part is that I genuinely don't know what to do any more. 'I've been emailing the National Consumer Commission for updates, but no one has responded. It feels like I've been completely abandoned in this process,' Tongo said. According to the National Credit Act, the National Consumer Tribunal has the authority to enforce specific remedies, issuing 'appropriate orders to give effect to a right' under the act as well as the Consumer Protection Act. As much as Tongo feels abandoned, the ruling serves as a reminder that consumers are not powerless against unethical service providers. Readers who find themselves in a similar dispute are advised to document everything meticulously, keeping records of all payments, communications and promises made by the supplier. One can escalate unresolved issues to the National Consumer Commission, which has increasingly demonstrated its willingness to hold businesses accountable through fines, refunds and public censure. But as Tongo's experience shows, be prepared for a potentially lengthy process. Cape Town Motor Repairs did not respond to questions by the time of publication. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Rising food prices in South Africa: April 2025 Household Affordability Index
Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) said that the April 2025 Household Affordability Index indicated that the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R90,94 (1.7%), from R5 329,36 in March 2025 to R5 420,30 in April 2025. Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) said that the April 2025 Household Affordability Index indicated that the average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R90,94 (1.7%), from R5 329,36 in March 2025 to R5 420,30 in April 2025. Civil society organisations have raised concerns about the rising cost of foods. Mervyn Abrahams, PMBEJD programme co-ordinator, said that in April 2025: The average cost of the Household Food Basket is R5 420,30. 'Year-on-year: The average cost of the Household Food Basket increased by R83,99 (1,6%), from R5 336,31 in April 2024 to R5 420,30 in April 2025. Food pricing trends in April 2025. In April, of the 44 foods tracked in the basket: 24 foods increased in price, and 20 foods decreased in price.' Abrahams added that foods in the basket which increased in price in April 2025 by 5% or more, include: potatoes (6%), onions (11%), beef (7%), fish (7%), tomatoes (26%), carrots (20%), spinach (7%), cabbage (6%), green pepper (7%), bananas (7%), and oranges (18%). 'Foods in the basket which increased in price in April 2025 by 2% or more, include: maize meal (2%), full cream milk (2%), beef tripe (2%), cremora (3%), apricot jam (4%), and brown bread (2%).' Abrahams said that they have noticed increases in the food baskets across major cities in the month of April. 'In April 2025, food baskets in Joburg, Durban, Cape Town, Springbok and Pietermaritzburg increased in price. The Joburg basket increased by R77,58 (1,4%) month-on-month, and decreased by R52,72 (-0,9%) year-on-year, to R5 559,46 in April 2025. The Durban basket increased by R157,64 (3,0%) month-on-month, and increased by R168,23 (3,2%) year-on-year, to R5 425,23 in April 2025.' Abrahams added that the Cape Town basket increased by R11,25 (0,2%) month-on-month, and increased by R129,80 (2,5%) year-on-year, to R5 316,56 in April 2025. 'The Springbok basket increased by R242,93 (4,3%) month-on-month, and increased by R186,68 (3,3%) year-on-year, to R5 908,84 in April 2025. The Maritzburg basket increased by R138,46 (2,8%) month-on-month, and decreased by R15,84 (-0,3%) year-on-year, to R5 044,47 in April 2025.' Abrahams said that Statistics South Africa's latest Consumer Price Index for March 2025 shows that headline inflation was 2,7%, and for the lowest expenditure quintiles 1-3 it is 4,2%, 3,7%, and 3,3% respectively. 'CPI food inflation was 2,2% (for CPI Food & NAB it was 2,7%. STATS SA's Producer Price Index for March 2025 shows agriculture was 2,4%, of which, products of crops and horticulture was 9,2%, and live animals and animal products was -7.1%.' Evashnee Naidu, regional manager for Black Sash in KwaZulu-Natal, said that the organisation continues to advocate for an increase in the value of social grants across the board to the extent that these increases are able to cushion the ever-increasing blow of food price increases. 'Whilst Black Sash welcomes the fact that there will be no VAT increase in 2025, which would have had a significant impact on poorer households, South Africa continues to see food prices increase. The Black Sash amplifies its call for permanent Basic Income Support to provide additional support to individuals and households.' Aliya Chikte, project officer at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), said that although food inflation is slowing down, the average cost of a household food basket is unaffordable in a context of mass unemployment and deep impoverishment. 'Even though more than half the population lives in poverty, the high rate of exclusion from the Social Relief of Distress leaves millions without the support needed to meet their immediate nutritional needs. As a new fiscal framework is tabled, we urge the government to protect and enhance social protection.' Siyanda Baduza, a researcher with the Basic Income Project at the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), said that for the millions of grant recipients, the increase in food prices will continue to make life more difficult, as it does everyone else, even with the VAT reversal. 'The value of the child support grant and SRD grants remain far below adequate levels. Both lie below the food poverty line, now at R796, and also below all estimates of the cost to feed a child a nutritional diet.' BUSINESS REPORT
eNCA
25-04-2025
- Business
- eNCA
KZN premier hikes AmaZulu Royal House budget to R86 million
PIETERMARITZBURG - The KwaZulu-Natal government has hiked the budget for the trust that takes care of the needs of Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini. The Premier, Thami Ntuli, announced the allocation of R86-million for the new financial year, an increase from last year's R77,5-million. However, concerns over the Royal Household Trust's spending and long-term financial sustainability continue to mount. Ntuli says the increase is not in conflict with the province's cost-cutting, but is to support King Misuzulu in fulfilling his cultural duties. He says the province is looking to appoint a new board for the Trust that will explore property development and commercial farming to reduce reliance on government funds. By: eNCA's Zanele Buthelezi
