Cape Town – The mother of Shonisani Lethole has renewed her call for justice after her son died at Tembisa Hospital in 2020 under shocking circumstances that saw him go unfed for more than 100 hours.
According to IOL, Patricia Lethole said her son’s death was “preventable” and demanded arrests after the latest revelations of corruption linked to the hospital.
“Our family is still waiting for answers and justice. My son’s death was preventable, yet those responsible continue to avoid accountability,” she said.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently revealed that at least R2 billion was siphoned from Tembisa Hospital through fraudulent procurement deals, money meant for patient care.
The SIU reported that investigators uncovered three syndicates and more than 200 service providers linked to irregular contracts. Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the findings as “shocking and disturbing,” saying law enforcement must act decisively.
But for the Lethole family, the corruption has always been personal. Their son, admitted with chest pains and breathing difficulties, died on 29 June 2020 after days of neglect. As stated by the Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, Lethole’s treatment amounted to “substandard and negligent care”.
The Ombud’s investigation found that Lethole was not given food for four consecutive days, and that doctors delayed reviewing his condition and intubating him when he went into respiratory failure. The report also revealed serious gaps in record-keeping, with some notes falsified or missing.
The Special Investigating Unit has blown the lid off a R2bn corruption scandal at Tembisa Hospital. An interim report reveals how syndicates looted funds meant for healthcare. Officials and service providers used fake documents, phantom deliveries and laundering to mask their… pic.twitter.com/tJAcmOJDOF
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 3, 2025
“Shoni was a healthy young man when he walked into Tembisa Hospital. He left in a coffin. Our hospitals belong to the people, not to thieves,” his mother said.
The Ombud concluded that Lethole’s death was avoidable and highlighted systemic failings at the facility. For his family, the fight is not only for justice in his memory but also to ensure that no other patient endures the same neglect.
The Gauteng provincial government welcomed the SIU’s interim report and Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the findings as “shocking and disturbing,” urging law-enforcement agencies to act on the evidence and to honour Babita Deokaran’s legacy by pursuing prosecutions. As stated by the Premier, “We view this as a critical step in honouring Babita Deokaran’s legacy and fulfilling our promise that her death would not be in vain.”
Opposition parties have also demanded swift action. As reported by the DA, the party said the SIU report must lead to investigations and prosecutions of the “masterminds” and insisted the SAPS and NPA must act, warning that without prosecutions the report risks becoming “worth as much as the paper it is written on.” The DA’s newsroom called for arrests where appropriate and for decisive consequence management.
Families and civil-society activists say the case lays bare how procurement rot can translate into life-and-death outcomes at the bedside. The SIU’s interim report recommends rigorous vetting, lifestyle audits and stronger protections for whistleblowers, and it said it will keep pursuing asset recovery and work with the NPA and other agencies to secure prosecutions. The SIU also warned the investigation is complex and ongoing, with anticipated completion only by November 2027.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@fanamokoena
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
