By Doreen Premdev
The beleaguered Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Phoenix has been hit by a sex-for-jobs scandal.
Democratic Alliance MPL George Mari told the Tribune Herald that apart from the recent allegations of staff negligence, fraud, corruption and nepotism, the latest cause for concern was a report that certain members of the hospital management had bartered with employees for better positions in return for sex.
Mari also alleged that people were known to have paid up to R5 000 to secure jobs at the hospital.
'Staff appear to take their tea and lunch breaks together' The hospital has come in for strong criticism after three cases of alleged staff negligence in the past month, the first two following the deaths of a child and a woman.
Continues Below ↓
Newly appointed Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo visited the hospital on Thursday and said a team of officials would investigate the allegations of negligence, nepotism, fraud and corruption, and also look into claims of "sex for jobs" and payment of bribes to secure employment.
Mari said he had moved a motion in the legislature on Tuesday, calling for the MEC to investigate the number of complaints at the hospital.
"As a member of the legislature and of the Phoenix community, I feel compelled to warn the minister of the very serious allegations which have been levelled against hospital management," he said.
Mari said some members of staff had accused others of using "sex for jobs" and involving prospective staff in a scam where interviewees were made to pay R5 000 to secure positions.
'People are afraid to go here because they don't want to die' He said there had also been complaints that long-serving staff were being overlooked when it came to promotion. He added that the hospital was also being affected by high absenteeism.
"Staff appear to take their tea and lunch breaks together, rather than staggering them, leaving patients with insufficient staff to care for them.
Continues...
|