Question NW2241 to the Minister of Health
24 June 2022 - NW2241
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with reference to media reports that a former employee of the Eastern Cape Department of Health allegedly forged her matric certificate to secure a job as a senior data capturer and that the specified person is currently facing charges of fraud in the Mthatha Specialised Crimes Court, he will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with the details on the steps undertaken by his department, in collaboration with the provincial department of health, to confirm the authenticity of prospective employees’ qualifications; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The allegation of submission of fraudulent matric certificate by an employee at Cofimvaba Hospital in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health as investigated by the Fraud Management Unit is confirmed. However, the employee concerned has since resigned and the matter reported to South African Police Services (SAPS) for further handling.
The employee has since been arrested and the case has been reminded to the month of August 2022 in the Mthatha Specialized Crimes Court.
In order to avert such mishaps in the future, The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health has since issued a Departmental Operations Manual that emphasises that Managers must confirm the authenticity of prospective employees’ qualifications prior to their employment.
END.