Suspension of hospital boss ‘lawful’

SIYABONGA SITHOLE

GAUTENG Premier David Makhura says he and the health department followed all the rules in suspending two Tembisa hospital chiefs.

Chief executive Ashley Mthunzi and chief financial officer Lerato Madyo were shown the door last week.

Makhura addressed members of the media at a briefing held at Gauteng Provincial Legislature yesterday over allegations made by trade unions accusing him of jumping the gun in placing Mthunzi on precautionary suspension last week.

Makhura has been criticised by trade unions such as Nehawu (National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union), Denosa (Democratic Nurses Organisation of SA) and others under the banner of Institutional Labour Caucus.

The groups claim Makhura did not follow the protocols that indicate that the suspension of Mthunzi falls under the ambit of the head of department, saying while he did not sanction the suspension himself it was done through Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi and the hospital’s head of department Dr Nomonde Nolutshungu.

“The suspension of the CEO was done in accordance with the law. It is the HOD who acts to suspend the officials that immediately report to her. This is something that we are very serious about,“ Makhura said.

“Allegations that have been levelled against the CFO and the CEO of Tembisa Hospital are serious enough that they have been referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). In our view the SIU has been doing the kind of work that really leads to convictions. and consequence management.

“There is no swifter action we could effect and they have dealt with many of these corruption cases including the PPE cases,” he said.

Makhura added that the SIU had already appointed an investigating officer who had already begun working on the Tembisa Hospital case as of Tuesday, August 23.

Makhura added that protection of witnesses was an important aspect of ensuring that those who benefit from irregular and corrupt contracts are dealt with.

“Last week and through government processes this matter was referred to them. We are very concerned about these allegations and how they have a bearing on the case of our outstanding public servant, Babita Doekaran, who perished and was taken out by organised crime. As far as we are concerned this is organised crime because corruption is an organised crime the same way illegal mining is organised crime. There are people who stop at nothing in trying to intimidate and take out those who stand up for the right thing. Again, we want to ensure that there is protection of witnesses and whistle-blowers,” he said.

Makhura added that should the SIU find any wrongdoing during its investigation, he wanted the law to take its course even against those who benefited through irregular contracts at the embattled hospital. Responding to allegations that the province did not follow the law in suspending Mthunzi and that the suspension came too late, Makhura assured the media and the unions that the rule of law was followed and that acting too late or too quickly was not important as the processes unfolded in accordance with the regulations.

“One of the reasons that it took a a bit of time to act against the CEO is because we wanted to make sure that when action is taken, it is taken by the right authority and second, every process has been followed because we know there is a need to act but there is also need to act in accordance with the law,” he said.

This comes after the Tembisa Hospital Institutional Labour Caucus (ILC) which represents trade unions including Denosa and Nehawu have called the recent suspension of Tembisa chief executive Ashley Mthunzi and CFO Lerato Madyo irrational.

Last week, Makhura announced the precautionary suspension of the pair following a series of allegations of irregular contracts and payments of unlawful contractors millions of rand on dodgy deal. This includes reports that the hospital ordered R500 000 worth of skinny jeans at R2 500 a pair.

The ILC says Mthunzi’s suspension was implemented in spite of its request to meet the premier regarding unwarranted attacks on the chief executive and the entire hospital.