Following investigations into cases of fraud and misconduct at provincial hospitals, the Gauteng Department Health has dismissed six officials for various transgressions.
At Tembisa Tertiary Hospital, two officials were fired for stealing medicine valued at R36 000 last year. A pharmacist assistant and a laundry worker were caught stealing 48 boxes of Epilim CR (used for treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotic conditions, and for nerve related pain) 35 boxes of Sandoz-Co amoxyclov (used for treatment of community acquired pneumonia, upper and lower respiratory infection and otitis media) 40 boxes of lansoloc (used for treatment of epigastric pains and general ulcers, and 49 boxes of Loviri (used for treatment of herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses and genital infections).
The Department also fired four other officials for other misdemeanours such as collusion in management of mortuary corpse at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital; accepting a position for which the official had not applied for at the same facility (financial clerk); falsification of employer’s documents in order to mislead the employer to believe that the official was at work while he had not reported for duty.
An administration clerk was fired at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital for payment of overtime to another employee without following due process which led to irregular expenditure of overtime payments.
MEC for Health, Ms Qedani Mahlangu, said it disheartened her that people continue to commit such offences and she said she will not hesitate to throw the book at anyone who has been found to have transgressed.
“I can never over emphasise the importance for public officials to carry themselves in an exemplary manner while executing their duties. At times people are driven by pure greed to mispresent their overtime and stealing from their work place.
“How does one explain the rationale for an assistant pharmacist to steal medicine he should be custodian of? Anyone found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with harshly,” warned MEC Mahlangu.
Enquiries:
Steve Mabona
Spokesperson
Cell: 072 574 3860
