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Johannesburg - Helen Joseph Hospital spends more than R150 000 a year replacing stolen toilet flush handles and taps, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday.
Caucus leader Jack Bloom said he discovered this on Thursday, when he visited the hospital to investigate complaints over broken toilets.
"Six of the men's toilets that I visited on seven floors are out of order because of stolen handles. Without the handle the toilet is unusable," he said.
Health spokesman Simon Zwane said maintenance in Gauteng hospitals was an ongoing function.
"We have a duty to maintain our facilities and keep them safe," he said.
Bloom said hospital officials told him that it cost about R6 000 to replace a flush master unit.
"They are looking for replacements that will be less difficult to steal," he said.
"Delays in replacing these items are [happening] because the Gauteng health department has not yet released budget funds for the financial year that started on April 1," Bloom said.
