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The Public Service Commission (PSC) has investigated 13 irregular staff appointments in the Gauteng Health Department in the past three years, but the department has not implemented the PSC’s recommendations in 9 of the cases.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

In two of the cases, the employee resigned, and in two other cases the PSC’s findings have been taken on review.

The PSC found irregularities in the following appointments at the George Mukhari Hospital:

• Chief Radiographer
• Area Manager Critical and Trauma Emergency
• Area Manager Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Human Resources Manager
• Assistant Director Human Resources

At the Central Office, irregularities were found in the following:

• Irregular transfer Chief Director Risk Management
• Director Office of the Head of Department (HOD)
• Deputy Director-General Corporate Services
• Irregular appointment Chief Financial Officer
• Irregular transfer Chief Director Legal Services

Irregularities were also found in the appointment of a Human Resources Manager at the Sefako Makgatho University, and with the Assistant Director Human Resources in the Tshwane District.

But in nine of these cases the Department says “the recommendations have not yet been implemented” even though most of the PSC reports were completed more than 18 months ago. They give a poor excuse that they “need to set aside a budget to implement the matters.”

In the case of the Director of the office of the HOD, the Department says they did not agree with the findings and informed the PSC. This is an outrageous defiance of the PSC recommendations which were made in April 2022.

The longest running scandal is the Chief Director Legal Services whose appointment was found to be irregular in a PSC report completed in May 2020. She has challenged the findings but is still receiving her full salary while suspended - this has so far amounted to more than R6 million!

I suspect the real reason for the delays is that these are cadre deployments that are being protected.

The DA calls on the department to implement all the PSC’s recommendations without delay. All staff appointments should be done properly so that the best qualified people are chosen instead of ANC cronies.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health