Shot Johannesburg Officer Exposes City’s Hospital Payment Crisis

KEY POINTS

• An acquaintance of the shooting suspect was arrested, with a firearm and ammunition recovered.

• Charlotte Maxeke Hospital staff reported being overwhelmed during the officer’s delayed admission, citing under-resourced public facilities.

• The South African Medical Association (SAMA) reiterated that emergency care cannot legally be denied, regardless of payment disputes.

In a shocking incident that has ignited public outrage, a critically wounded Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer was allegedly denied emergency treatment at Netcare Milpark Hospital due to a R35 million debt owed by the City of Joburg.

The officer, shot twice in the upper body while pursuing a suspect on Wednesday night, was airlifted to Milpark—a private trauma center—but turned away and redirected to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where he waited hours for care.

Sarah Wissler, Chairperson of the City’s Public Safety Committee, condemned the hospital’s actions, stating, “Our officers risk their lives daily. Denying them emergency care over unpaid bills is unconscionable.” The officer remains in intensive care, his condition critical.

Wissler confirmed she escalated the incident to the Mayor’s office, demanding immediate payment of the debt and a full audit of liabilities impacting emergency services.

Public outcry grows over emergency care access in Johannesburg

The City of Joburg, however, disputes the R35 million figure, claiming the debt stands at R3.9 million and that payments are processed weekly. In a statement, officials labeled Milpark’s refusal to treat the officer as “unprofessional and unethical,” vowing to file a formal complaint with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

IOL reports that the City also announced an internal probe to determine if municipal negligence contributed to the incident.

This controversy underscores a deeper crisis in Johannesburg’s public-private healthcare partnerships. Netcare Milpark, a Level 1 trauma center, has long been a lifeline for emergency responders, but strained finances have eroded trust. “This isn’t just about one officer—it’s about systemic failure,” said Dr. Thabo Mbeki, a healthcare policy analyst. “When hospitals withhold care over debt, lives hang in the balance.”

Meanwhile, tensions flared further when the City accused an unnamed councillor of spreading “unverified claims” to the media, promising disciplinary action.

The Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) will scrutinize the City’s payment processes, while Milpark’s management faces pressure to justify its decision.