Heartless thieves have made off with a fridge, desktop computers, laptops, and plasma television sets from Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, which was gutted by fire more than three months ago.
Since the fire, the academic hospital has not been able to serve thousands of patients.
While repairs have been going on – so have the thefts.
“Stolen items include 10 desktop computers, one fridge, six plasma television sets and three laptops which disappeared since the fire incident in April 2021. Immediately after the fire no one was allowed inside the building,” said the Gauteng Department of Health.
The department on Thursday said it has opened a case of theft at the Hilbrow Police Station.
Gauteng Health MEC Dr. Nomthemba Mokgethi has called on the police to leave no stone unturned to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.
She also urged the public to come forth with any information that might assist the police with their investigations into the thefts.
The thefts came to light after hospital management did an inventory audit.
“It was through this process that the missing items were identified prompting the hospital management to open a case of theft as the items could not be accounted for,” said the department.
The thefts will, however, not have any major impact on service provision at the facility and no critical information was lost or compromised, assured the department.
Some of the equipment and items saved from the fire were taken to other facilities to ensure continuity of care.
Security has also been upped at the hospital, which has some operational parts.
Repairs to large sections are only expected to be completed next year.
