KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has said there are challenges with disciplining staff. Picture: KZN Department of Health
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has revealed that it is struggling to take disciplinary action against its staff members who have been implicated in alleged wrongdoing.
The department said it is confronted by several cases of alleged misconduct that have not progressed for some time due to managers refusing to chair disciplinary hearings.
This information was disclosed before the members of the Health Portfolio Committee on Tuesday as the department briefed them on its efforts to address the issues of alleged misconduct and the fight against fraud and corruption within the department. The department did not disclose how many cases it is currently handling.
Other arms of government have also faced similar challenges. It has been reported that in the eThekwini Municipality, managers had refused to chair hearings because they had received threats.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said: “We have a situation in the department where there are cases that are not moving for some time because the manager refused to chair the disciplinary hearings. The managers would refuse to chair the hearings, or they would agree and then back out, which means the whole process has to start over again.”
The MEC did not elaborate on why this is the case. However, she said suspended employees were not allowed to remain at home for extended periods.
Committee member Shontel De Boer said these revelations are directly related to the lack of consequence management in government departments.
“I am not sure if they are feeling intimidated or if they are being intimidated, but it certainly leads to why there is so much corruption. People complain about the attitude they receive from staff at government departments; they should not treat those who contribute to their salaries poorly.
“It is concerning that managers won’t chair hearings. This issue is affecting all departments, not just the health department. Unless proper consequences are put in place, managers will not be able to manage staff effectively, “ she said.
Chairperson of the committee Imran Keeka said it is unfortunate that the work environment in many facilities is toxic and political.
“I am often told that those with good connections are saved, while others face severe consequences because they are either not in the correct union or, worse, do not want to engage in unethical practices that some senior staff members demand.
“Managers who do not want to fulfil their responsibilities and who prolong cases cost the department money because paid suspensions continue indefinitely. They themselves must be held accountable for this. They need to grow a spine and get the job done. I believe there should be an investigation into how much these cases are costing the department, and those at the head office responsible for human resource management need to be held accountable for the delays,” he said.
Regional secretary of the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) Mazwi Ngubane said there are many instances where this is happening. There are similar occurrences in the premier’s office, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and this is a common issue in the Department of Health.
“It is not always a case that they are being threatened; we have many instances where the manager withdraws because the case has been manufactured. That is why we call on the department to carefully look at their processes when bringing charges against an employee.
“There have been instances where an employee had been cleared by the department’s investigation. That investigation is then changed in order to charge that employee just to get them fired but under scrutiny, the case falls apart and that manager withdraws.”
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