Panyaza Lesufi
By Lerato Mpembe
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has publicly apologized to cancer patients for the prolonged delays in their treatment at the province’s public hospitals. The apology follows a Gauteng High Court ruling earlier this year that ordered the provincial Department of Health to provide oncology radiation services to around 3,000 patients stuck on a waiting list for nearly three years. However, the Gauteng government has been granted leave to appeal this decision, claiming that enforcing the court order could lower the quality of oncology care in its facilities.
Court Order and Ongoing Legal Fight
The High Court’s directive came as a response to the desperate circumstances faced by cancer patients in Gauteng, many of whom have been unable to access vital radiation therapy due to a growing backlog. This delay has been linked to issues like limited resources and administrative bottlenecks within the health department. Despite the ruling, the provincial government’s appeal has put the court-ordered relief on hold, sparking concerns about further delays for those in need.
Lesufi’s Apology and Promise of Action
Speaking at a Gauteng legislature session on Tuesday, Premier Lesufi expressed regret over the situation. “I want to take this opportunity to apologise to all cancer patients; it was not our wish to put them through these difficulties,” he said. He admitted that the government could have managed the crisis better, noting the challenge of juggling legal battles and a treatment backlog. “Unfortunately, when you have court cases and a backlog, it is very, very difficult for the department to balance the two, but this is not an excuse,” Lesufi added.
He also revealed that he has received a detailed plan to clear the backlog and is confident it will be resolved, though no specific timeline was shared.
Criticism from the DA: “Too Little, Too Late”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng spokesperson on health, Jack Bloom, has slammed Lesufi’s apology as insufficient and overdue. Bloom highlighted the tragic consequences of the delays, stating, “It’s far too late for hundreds of cancer patients who have died because they didn’t get radiation treatment within the required 90 days.”
He explained that without timely treatment, patients’ conditions worsen, leading to preventable suffering and death. Bloom went as far as comparing the crisis to the Life Esidimeni disaster—a 2016 tragedy where 144 mental health patients died after being moved to inadequate care facilities—calling it equally devastating.
Health Budget Underspending Raises Eyebrows
Adding fuel to the controversy, the Gauteng Treasury disclosed on Monday that the provincial health department failed to spend over R720 million of its 2024/25 budget. This revelation has intensified scrutiny of the department’s management, with critics like Bloom arguing that the underspending is unacceptable given the urgent need for oncology services. The unspent funds have raised questions about why resources were not directed toward addressing the backlog and improving patient care.
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