Fire fighters from the City of Ekurhuleni’s Fire Department responded swiftly to the incident and effectively extinguished the fire in the morning and at around 08:00, they had already cleared the smoke in the main OPD area using the Positive Pressure Ventilation.

It is important to indicate that the main OPD was already cordoned off and the power supply was isolated after the first fire incident reported on Saturday afternoon (19 April 2025), therefore it was not operating and there were no patients in the area at the time of the incident.

The smoke from the main OPD area unfortunately spread to the Eye Clinic and Pharmacy nearby. It has also affected the areas that were initially cleared from the Saturday fire such as Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD), Medical Outpatient Department (MOPD), Family Medicine and the administration block which were meant to be the alternative Accident and Emergency service area. These areas are now undergoing a re-clearing process, involving air quality assessments and issuing of new electrical COC, to make them available for full use.

The cause of both the OPD and Accident and Emergency Unit fire incidents is still under investigation by various law enforcement teams and regulators.

“The department appeal for calmness and patience during this time. As things stand, all patients receiving care at the hospital are safe. There is a business continuity plan to enable the department to continue rendering health services. Arrangements have been made to ensure that all patients can continue to access the much-needed healthcare services with minimal interruptions,” reassured Dr. Phaahla.

The hospital is still on ambulance divert for emergencies; however, walk-in patients can be attended to. Patients are encouraged to make use of their local clinics to access healthcare and come to the hospital after they have been referred.

Critical services are continuing in designated areas or departments within the hospital. A help desk has been established to provide information and redirect patients and members of the public on site.

Members of the public whose family members are admitted at the hospital are still able to visit them as per the normal visiting hours of 14:00 to 16:00 using gate 4.

The Deputy Minister made an appeal to various organisations that have an interest to conduct oversight visit at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital to give the investigators and relevant governance structure an opportunity to do their work according to their mandate. Regular updates will be provided through public platforms and existing governance structures.

Ends//

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health

Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication: 064 803 0808 or healthmediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za and Foster Mohale, Spokesperson for the National Department of Health: 072 432 3792

Public complaints and compliments must be send directly to: patientscomplaints.health@gauteng.gov.za or send sms to 35023 or call 24-hour customer line on 0800 203 886

For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Department of Health’s portal at www.gauteng.gov.za