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Rand 379,000 worth of “dressing table” furniture purchased by a Gauteng hospital executive director, who was appointed despite facing serious disciplinary charges for fraud, has highlighted the “stench” of the provincial health system.
Dr. Zacharia Mathaba, Executive Director of Ekurhuleni Far East Rand Hospital, was appointed to his current position in November last year, after being transferred from Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, which is located on the same subway.
This is according to the official provincial human resources documents seen by the Mail and tutor, which shows how Mathaba’s appointment as CEO happened despite the uproar from the unions, after it emerged that he claimed overtime from September 2017 to March last year for jobs he allegedly didn’t do.
This was confirmed in the provincial legislature in December last year by Gauteng Bandile Masuku’s former health MEC, who said that Mathaba’s disciplinary hearing had started in January 2019.
Meanwhile, the M&G has seen bills and delivery notes from Far East Rand Hospital, which bought more than 20 luxury office furniture items, including leather sofas and chairs, an R8 280 “dynasty desk,” an R16 675 wall unit, and wooden hangers for coats and hats, among other items.
The furniture delivery note is dated September 30, 2020.
These purchases provoked the ire of hospital staff, who alleged that Mathaba purchased “vanity furniture” despite the fact that the facility lacked critical equipment and had wheelchairs, stretchers and hospital beds in ruins.
“I can also attest to the fact that [Mathaba] authorized overtime for five staff members to remove old furniture from his office, “said a source, who asked to remain anonymous.
“There is a general concern among staff members that the CEO is not concerned with critical service delivery tools; instead [he’s] more concerned about his office. “
Another source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Mathaba had begun victimizing staff members who he believed had leaked documentation about his alleged misuse of funds to the M&G.
This included 190% inflation from a contract awarded in June for Covid-19-related infrastructure, which soared from R139 126.25 to R404 190 in less than a month.
the M&G has seen invoices paid to Zabelo Trading, whose owner, Zabelo Mndawe, declined to comment.
Jack Bloom, a member of the DA Gauteng legislature’s health committee, who asked the question showing that Mathaba was hired despite facing serious charges, said the CEO’s appointment was “a microcosm of the stench of the provincial health system. ”.
“[Mathaba] they should never have been named while facing serious charges, “said Bloom.
Speaking on Mathaba’s behalf, Gauteng Health Department spokeswoman Philani Mhlungu did not answer questions about why someone facing serious allegations was appointed chief executive.
Mhlungu also declined to reveal the stage at which Mathaba’s disciplinary process had reached, or why it had taken nearly two years to complete.
“The department follows the prescribed industrial relations process when dealing with employee affairs,” Mhlungu said, without elaborating.
He added that the hospital management had agreed on an equipment budget that included the purchase of furniture for seven offices. Mhlungu said the hospital had undertaken projects “to improve the ailing infrastructure.”
Projects included the remodeling of pavilions five and eight. “The current CEO ensured that District Eight became operational in December 2019,” Mhlungu said.
Other projects included the remodeling of the doctors’ residence; remodeling of the Lonmin building to increase the number of Covid-19 beds by 16; remodeling and painting of the nursing home, still in process; remodeling and expansion of the milk room; and remodeling a cafeteria, as part of the employee value proposition.
Mhlungu said 26 pieces of equipment were also purchased, including ultrasound machines, ventilators and heart machines.
He added: “Institutions and administration found to be misusing public funds must be held accountable and, when there is evidence of criminality, the department has referred these matters to law enforcement agencies.”
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