Thokozile Mnguni
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for an urgent investigation by Wits University Vice-Chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi into what it describes as alarmingly high mortality rates in cardiac surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH).
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom said there is “more damning evidence of a cover-up” at the hospital’s Cardiothoracic Department, following an official response to questions submitted in the Gauteng Legislature.
Bloom said the department had previously reported a 72.5% decrease in mortality between 2023 and 2025, but later revised the figures.
“The Gauteng Health Department was forced to admit that they had got it wrong in their previous reply to me,” Bloom said.
According to updated data, the mortality rate for heart surgery in 2025 was 14%, representing 23 deaths out of 166 operations. This compares with 19% in 2024, 21% in 2023, and 12% for July to December 2022.
The department now says this reflects a 34% reduction in mortality between 2023 and 2025.
Bloom said the discrepancy was linked to a calculation error involving preliminary, non-reconciled datasets.
“This is a poor excuse, as accurate data collection is essential to track trends and take corrective action,” he said. “The admitted 14% mortality rate last year is scandalously high.”
He also raised concern over morbidity rates, which he said stood at 22% last year, with similar levels recorded in previous years.
Morbidity refers to complications or adverse outcomes arising from surgery.
Bloom said registrars in the Cardiothoracic Department have formally appealed to the Dean of the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Shabir Madhi, for urgent intervention, but that the appeal was reportedly not acted on.
He added that a senior consultant resigned last year after calling for the suspension of Dr Tumi Taunyane, Head of the Cardiothoracic Department, amid allegations of intimidation, weak academic leadership, and misconduct.
The Wits Vice-Chancellor had previously raised concerns about “significant dysfunction” in the department, citing strained relationships among staff, including registrars, which could affect patient care, surgical delivery, theatre safety, and training.
Bloom said he has written to Vilakazi requesting an urgent investigation into mortality and morbidity rates, leadership concerns within the department, and training conditions for registrars.
“Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital should be performing more than 1 000 complex heart procedures a year, but it is only doing about 200 annually, with too many patients dying who could have been saved,” he said.
He added that the Health Ombud has confirmed an investigation, but warned that the university must also act quickly to stabilise the department.
“The Wits Medical School has failed heart patients by allowing poor management to endanger their lives,” Bloom said.
“Training in this speciality may collapse altogether,” he added.
In response, the Gauteng Department of Health said mortality rates in adult cardiac surgery at the hospital have declined over the past three years following a review of corrected data.
It said a discrepancy in figures previously submitted to the Gauteng Legislature resulted from a validation error involving preliminary datasets.
Health department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the initially reported 72.5% reduction in mortality between 2023 and 2025 was incorrect.
“Following verification using consolidated departmental records, the corrected data reflects a 34% reduction in mortality between 2023 and 2025, which still indicates improved clinical outcomes,” Mabona said.
Mabona said verified mortality rates stood at 21% in 2023, 19% in 2024, and 14% in 2025, with deaths declining from 38 to 27 and 23, respectively.
“While any patient death is regrettable, the verified data reflects a progressive reduction over the reporting period,” Mabona said.
Mabona rejected suggestions of a cover-up and said the unit is governed through established oversight processes, including morbidity reviews, clinical audits, and multidisciplinary discussions.