March and March targets Tembisa Hospital as protesters demand answers over R2.6bn corruption claims

March and March members marched from Mehlareng Stadium to Tembisa Hospital on 15 October 2026
Ekurhuleni coordinator Khayanga Langa told MDNtv that the protesters were unhappy with the hospital's board
Langa warned that citizens were at boiling point, and peaceful marches would not continue indefinitely if the government failed to respond

March and March members during recent protests in Durban — March and March members descended on Tembisa Hospital, calling on the board of directors to resign. Image: Rajesh Jantilal
Source: Getty Images

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG — Hundreds of March and March protesters descended on Tembisa Hospital on 15 October 2026, marching under heavy police guard from Mehlareng Stadium to the facility to hand over a memorandum of demands.

Speaking exclusively to MDNtv, Ekurhuleni regional coordinator Khayanga Langa said the demonstration centred on allegations that over R2.6 billion had been looted from Tembisa Hospital, while patients continued to die in the casualty ward and medicine shortages persisted for months at a time.

Langa called for the resignation of the hospital's entire board, accusing management of presiding over conditions that left ordinary residents without basic medical care.

"Management must account to us, must account to the people of Chendisa," he said.

The hospital has faced scrutiny in previous SIU investigations into alleged corruption involving syndicates and bribes, with findings pointing to systemic maladministration that has contributed to repeated community protests over patient outcomes.

Foreign nationals also targeted during the protest

Beyond the corruption allegations, Langa used the march to press demands regarding foreign nationals accessing public health services. He argued that foreign nationals were making it difficult for South African citizens to access medication and medical attention.

When asked whether the march targeted undocumented migrants specifically or all foreign nationals, Langa said the movement's position was that all foreign nationals in the country, regardless of their documentation status, needed to be verified. He cited concerns about fraudulent documents being produced with the alleged involvement of Department of Home Affairs officials, and said those found to be undocumented should be deported without being granted asylum or legal papers.

March and March targets Tembisa Hospital as protesters demand answers over R2.6bn corruption claims

Foreign nationals also targeted during the protest

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