Dr Jack Bloom reflects on three decades in Gauteng politics as he steps into new role

I have mixed feelings about leaving the Gauteng Provincial Legislature after more than 32 years since my first election in 1994. It has been the arena for some epic battles but also treasured memories.

In the early days, I was chief whip and sat on multiple committees, as there were only five. Democratic Party members. I was not pleased when the health portfolio was assigned to me, as I had no health background, and I am squeamish about medical matters.

But I jumped in and pioneered high-profile inspection visits to hospitals. My frequent oversight caused such discomfort that, in 2009, my photograph was posted at the entrance to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, barring me from entry.

Official questions, both written and oral, were my other weapon in uncovering scandals and poor hospital treatment. I have asked more than 3500 questions, and I have interacted with 6 speakers, 7 premiers, and 11 Health MECs. I forced debates on President Thabo Mbeki Aids-denialism.

I harried the Gauteng Health Department to provide ARVs to HIV-positive pregnant women and to rape survivors at risk of HIV infection.  

Brian Hlongwa was the first Health MEC forced out of office because I exposed outrageous corruption. The most significant question I asked was to Qedani Mahlangu about the deaths of Life Esidimeni mental patients sent to dodgy NGOs.

Her admission about deaths sparked off the health ombud’s report, which forced her to resign after he confirmed horrendous maltreatment that led to 144 deaths.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Health MEC Bongani Masuku was sacked after I exposed multi-million-rand corruption in personal protective equipment (PPE). In his book on the R2 billion looting at Tembisa Hospital, Jeff Wicks describes me as “dogged” in prising out damning information about the complicity of top officials.  

I took much abuse from ANC members who resented my questions. They said I was racist and sexist when I targeted Qedani Mahlangu, and I was suspended for five days when I refused to apologise for questioning Hlongwa’s source of funds for a R7.2 million house purchase.

But I was chuffed when Radio 702’s John Robbie said he admired me, calling me “a perfect example of what politicians should be.” There were also clashes when I was Leader of the opposition, including my campaign against the e-tolls.

I pushed for legal action and boycotting the e-tolls and was a founder member of OUTA. Humphrey Mmemezi was another ANC MEC forced to resign after I pummelled him for abusing his government credit card, including for buying an R10 000 painting from a McDonald’s restaurant.

I got headlines exposing the corrupt contracts of the “Alex Mafia” that so battered Paul Mashatile’s image that he lasted only six months as premier.  

The ANC was so enraged when I spoke about the Alex Mafia that the Speaker banned the term from the House because it implied the ANC was a criminal organisation. I got ordered out a few times before resorting to the phrase “that which may not be said.”

Most of the scandals I uncovered came from public tip-offs or leaks from officials. The stakes were high for whistleblowers who entrusted me to protect their anonymity, as we saw with the murder of Babita Deokaran.

It pains me that criminal charges are rarely laid, even with overwhelming evidence of malfeasance, and that cases drag on for years so nobody gets convicted. I leave with a sense of unfinished business as conditions continue to deteriorate in our public hospitals. People send me horrific photos of bed sores, unhealed wounds, or amputations.

I have tried to assist hundreds of patients and their anxious relatives who have contacted me. I have received poignant messages from people I have assisted for many years. One of them wrote, “I feel I have lost a friend.”

My nomination for appointment as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation was unexpected. Still, I see it as a continuation of my health mission, since poor water and sanitation lead to many illnesses. I will do my best to achieve real outcomes in this vital area.

Dr Jack Bloom, MPL, newly appointed Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation