The KZN Department of Health has launched an investigation into an alleged assault in one of the hospitals in the province. Image: Pixabay
Hospital has been closed for two years, staff still receiving salaries
MEC says remaining staff will be redeployed to other facilities and until such time they will remain fully employed.
The KZN Department of Health has launched an investigation into an alleged assault in one of the hospitals in the province. Image: Pixabay
The Eastern Cape Health Department has come under fire from opposition parties after it revealed that it still pays some 45 employees at the Osmond Tuberculosis Hospital in Kariega their salaries despite the hospital being closed for almost two years.
This was revealed by MEC Nomakosana Meth in a written response posed by the Democratic Alliance in provincial parliament. The DA further accuses the department of financial mismanagement and mismanagement of resources.
NO WORK BUT ALL THE PAY
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The MEC detailed that the staff remaining at the hospital is made up of 28 medical and 17 non medical staff. Since the 2021/22 it has cost the department over R67.5million in salaries and over R7.3million in carrying costs for the facility.
“Thisis flagrant disregard for the taxpayer’s purse is an absolute disgrace!”, says DA shadow MEC for Health Jane Cowley.
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“This Department is not only factually bankrupt but morally bankrupt too”, Cowley alleges.
In her letter the MEC says the remaining staff had refused to be deployed to other facilities.
MEC SAYS STAFF WILL SOON BE REASSIGNED TO OTHER FACILITIES
“Employees were afforded the opportunity to choose facilities they preferred to be placed at. The process was done and completed. 45 employees refused to be allocated as per the Advise given by their respective unions” Meth says.
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“A process of managing the labour dispute is underway. Agreement has been reached with labour that in the interim whilst the organization wide service delivery optimization and organogram is under review, the remaining staff will he gainfully employed” the MEC added.
The DA argues that the staff could be put to better use at nearby facilities such as Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, Rosedale Clinic, Town Clinic and KwaNobuhle clinic which are all severely understaffed.
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