The IFP calls for an overhaul of the process used to suspend and dismiss government officials after the Northdale Hospital CEO, Felicity du Preez was given a “precautionary transfer” while the Human Resources manager Sibongile Ndlovu was suspended by KZN Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
“We demand that MEC Dhlomo must tell us what sort of relationship he has with the Northdale Hospital CEO as he granted her a precautionary transfer while she is under investigation after allegations of mismanagement and mistreatment of staff and patients at the facility. This is an insult to the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the MEC can rather prefer to transfer someone who has a dark cloud hanging over her head. This proves that the MEC seems to be treating some officials with soft gloves while others like the Human Resource Manager, Sibongile Ndlovu is suspended. The MEC must show bold leadership and suspend du Preez also thereby displaying even handedness,” said IFP KZN Provincial Health Spokesperson, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL.
“By transferring du Preez to another health care facility the MEC is showing that he is happy and he is condoning her wrong doings. This will send a wrong message to other officials that if you have done something wrong you will not face the consequences but you will rather be transferred if you are a pal of the MEC. There should be no escape if culpability is identified, stemming from the department’s protocols. While the number of disciplinary hearings have increased, the number of dismissal are low. If top management are accused of corruption, negligence and criminality, the fundamental ethos for officials on the ground would be tainted. Although the provincial government has made strides in ensuring that culpability is dealt with accordingly, the punishment must fit the crime committed,” continued Mrs Nkwanyana.
“You cannot expect us, the tax-paying workers to continue to subsidize unproductive government officials. We have to start taking political responsibility for those who don’t want to perform, and those who do want to perform must be given the chance. We must create a new culture in the government – a culture of service delivery, of people who work hard to serve our people. In most cases you find that most officials accused of culpability are staying at home and continue to draw their full monthly salaries and other benefits while their disciplinary hearings drag on. This is just a waste of public funds. We demand that there must be a time frame to conclude the disciplinary hearings to avoid unnecessary loss of public funds and compromising service delivery,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
The IFP will interrogate the MEC of Health in this matter in the Legislature by submitting written parliamentary questions to demand answers on what grounds did the MEC reach the conclusion to grant the Northdale Hospital CEO a precautionary transfer while he suspended the human resources manager. The public needs to know the names of the 11 CEOs and public relations officers he named and shamed due to their poor treatment of patients.
Issued by; Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, IFP KZN Provincial Health Spokesperson, 078 302 3991
Media Queries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP Media Officer, 073 024 5675
