Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has not received a forensic report on CMJAH fire

By Samantha Allen

Published: September 5, 2022 | 1:33 PM GMT

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has not received any forensic report relating to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) fire.

This comes after the Daily Maverick published an article claiming to have a forensic report from the police.

“The department has been inundated with media requests for comment,” a statement from the department read on Monday.

“GDoH has unfortunately not seen the so-called report and as such, the department is not in a position to comment on it.”

Parts of the hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg, have been closed since last year’s fire.

According to the reports, the fire began in the dispensary and extended to other portions of the multi-story parking lot building, destroying R40 million worth of inventory, personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect personnel from COVID-19, and other necessities.

According to an article in the Maverick, a copy of a South African Police Service (SAPS) forensic study indicates that arson caused the fire at CMJAH on 16 April 2021.

The provincial department has recently instructed the media to check with SAPS whether or not such a report was made and to whom it was sent.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.