Johannesburg - A court sheriff arrived at the Gauteng health department on Friday to attach furniture following a R6 million medical negligence lawsuit, the Democratic Alliance said.
“But, there were negotiations and the department made an undertaking to pay by the end of Monday, so now they have left,” DA MPL Jack Bloom said.
“But why do furniture removal people have to arrive before they pay?”
Department spokesman Prince Hamnca could not immediately be reached for comment.
This followed a ruling by the High Court in Johannesburg that the department pay Matshidiso Matlawa R6.1m after her daughter became brain-damaged at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital due to a lack of oxygen when she was born five years ago.
Gary Austin, for the family, confirmed to Sapa that he was at the department's offices on Friday morning while the Sheriff was there.
“At 12.30pm, we got a written undertaking from Treasury that they will pay the money, the full amount, on Monday,” he told Sapa.
“So right now, the furniture has been attached but not removed. That list of assets that is attached, they can't do anything with it, as they are under legal attachment.”
Bloom said the list included 800 chairs, 600 desks, 400 computers, 100 filing cabinets, and 60 printers.
In a statement, Bloom demanded that Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu pay what the department owed.
“Pay the money. Otherwise furniture from her own personal office must be removed first,” he said.
Sapa