CORRUPT HEALTH WORKERS FIRED 

Asiphe Cokile
Tswarello Monyane

In a drive to root out corruption, stealing and any other nefarious acts, Gauteng Health Department has at least sacked 18 of its employees. A terse statement sent to this publication states that the department wants to send a strong message that dishonesty conduct will not be tolerated from any employee.

According to the statement, the transgressions that lead to their dismissals include amongst other things, 8 cases of theft, fraud and corruption, stealing of cash, stealing schedule 4 medicines, un-authorised use of government vehicle, and the embezzlement of milk.
Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, is on record saying, “Government has a duty to proactively promote a culture of honesty and good governance, which will in turn lead to effective and efficient service delivery. This requires a Public Service that is professional, ethical and performs its duties and tasks with integrity.”
The department further pointed out that, the dismissed employees were employed in various healthcare facilities around the Province such as Kalafong Hospital, Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital, Sebokeng Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, SG Laurens Nursing College, Emergency Medical Services and Helen Joseph Hospital and other facilities.
“The citizenry has entrusted a huge responsibility on this government to look after all assets that facilitate service delivery, be it a government car, a cell phone, or milk in our kitchen,” Mahlangu said.
The Democratic Alliance, shadow health MEC, Jack Bloom, said,”I welcome the firings but it should be consistent and top level people should also go, instead of often getting a golden handshake. Criminal charges should also be laid.”