By AGISANANG SCUFF
5 August 2025- The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul said he has noted the report on the investigation conducted by Prof Taole Mokoena and his team. Saul said the report released last week by the Health Ombudsman has brought to the fore the major governance inadequacies, violation of clinical protocols and financial mismanagement at both the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital and the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital.
He further said all these discrepancies have cost families their loved ones. Saul added that he sends his most heartfelt condolences to the families mentioned in the Ombudsman report.
“We unequivocally apologise to the many patients who have experienced substandard health services at both institutions. I will soon visit the affected families, having studied the report and after a number of consultations, I have instructed that the Director General of the province, Justice Bekebeke, chair the task team that has been set up to ensure full implementation of the recommendations by the Health Ombudsman.
“I have also instructed the Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene to within 7 days, provide me with an update on the immediate actions to be taken as recommended by the Health Ombudsman in its report,” he said.
Saul said upon assuming office in 2019, he prioritised Public Health and Public Education. He said in an effort to improve the two sectors, bulk of the provincial budget and adequate support is given to the two departments and this is evident in the Human Development Indicators.
“It is therefore important that in light of the damning report by the Press Ombudsman corrective actions are instituted as a matter of urgency. I wish to reiterate the government’s commitment to transparency and clean governance as well as reforms in the public health system.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that our public health facilities function optimally as more than 80% of the people of this province cannot afford private healthcare and are solely dependent on government facilities,” said Saul.
The Guardian 