Question NW635 to the Minister of Health
01 April 2022 - NW635
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)With reference to an unqualified audit with findings on his department by the Auditor-General for 2020-21, what (a) number of employees have been found to be doing business with (i) his department and (ii) its provincial departments and (b) measures is his department taking to rectify the matter; (2) whether all senior management members have submitted their declarations; if not, what (a) number is outstanding, (b) is the name of each senior manager who did not declare and (c) action has been taken to rectify this; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what number of investigations have been completed in (a) his department and (b) the National Health Laboratory Service; (4) whether the recommendations of the investigations have been implemented; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the recommendations that were implemented?
Reply:
(1) (a) (i) The National Department of Health has followed and conducted all due process required in the disclosure of financial interests by designated categories of employees and found no one doing business with the Department.
(ii) Information related to Provinces is not readily available and will be submitted once received.
(b) (i) Not applicable.
(ii) Still awaiting information from Provinces.
(2) Yes, all SMS members submitted their declarations of interest during the regulated time (01 – 30 April 2021).
(a), (b), (c) Not applicable.
(3) (a) The National Health Department completed ninety five (95) investigations.
(b) National Health Laboratory Service completed Eleven (11) investigations.
(4) Yes, NDOH 91 cases - employees issued with final and written warning and 4 cases disciplinary action to be instituted against the employees. NHLS recommendations for ten (10) out of eleven (11) investigations were implemented. The outstanding one is still in progress as outlined below:
|
No |
Investigation |
Outcome |
Recommendations |
Implemented recommendation |
|
1. |
Allegations that the Area Manager in Eastern Cape Region was appointing her relatives (Nepotism) |
Substantiated |
Disciplinary Action against Area Manager and implicated staff |
Disciplinary Action is in progress |
END.