Pretoria - The investigation into allegations of racial name-calling at Steve Biko Hospital, initially said to be a one-week process, has been completed five weeks after it started.
A disciplinary hearing for the offending matron was on the cards, said Gauteng Department of Health spokesman Steve Mabona.
A presiding officer for the formal disciplinary hearing would soon be appointed by hospital chief executive officer Dr Ernest Kenoshi, he said.
“The investigation was completed last week and a detailed report submitted to the CEO. A formal disciplinary hearing will commence in the near future,” Mabona said.
The investigation was launched in mid-February after complaints that a senior matron mistreated staff and used the k-word in the maternity department’s four wards.
Nurses from the hospital’s labour, maternity, gynaecology, post-natal and antenatal wards spoke to the Pretoria News about their frustrations in the department.
They accused her of using heavy-handed methods of supervising and said she was openly racist, with no respect for their speciality or seniority. They said they were in maternity for the specialities they had to offer, but were moved around by the matron, rendering them useless.
The staff also said the matron had the tendency to change their shifts around without consultation. In addition, they were called in to work when they were supposed to be on leave.
They were often forced to go home because she had removed them from the roster without speaking to them first.
Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu visited the hospital soon after the publication of the allegations and spoke harshly against any form of racism in the hospital. She said she would not allow racism in any of her institutions and promised that if the allegations proved true, punishment against the perpetrator would be severe.
An investigation was launched, with Kenoshi saying it would take the team a week to speak to staff.
Pretoria News