The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has caught yet another nest of fraud and illegal possession of firearms when a team from the SAPS’s provincial task team and department officials made the discovery at Bethesda Hospital.
In November 2010 a joint task team visited Bethesda Hospital where three security officers were arrested for illegal possession of firearms not licensed to the company (Mvimbeni Security Services) they were working for. On further investigation the team uncovered that the company was charging the department for armed security services for which they have no license. The matter has been referred to the Organised Crime Unit of the SAPS. The firearms have also been sent for ballistic testing to eliminate their connection (if any) to crimes.
“The department has suffered financial prejudice as the company was charging the department for armed services, charging us higher grade security officers (grade B) whereas lower grade (grade C) were on duty and putting the department into disrepute,” said MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
The department is bound by the Arms Control Act as well as the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) and it is for that reason that the department is strict with the regulatory authority prescripts. “In all public hospitals are citizens under our care. We cannot allow rogue elements, who want to make money at whatever cost, to put government property and personnel at risk,” MEC Dhlomo concluded.
The department will seek to recoup the financial prejudice it has suffered and it is believed that the company may be removed in all its operating centres.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
