Durban - The Health MEC has spoken out in response to a Pietermaritzburg hospital operations manager being forced to remove religious items from her locker and accused of practising witchcraft.
The Daily News reported on Monday that the manager was last week forced to remove her religious items – which included an incense stick, a statue of Hindu deity Lord Muruga and a framed photograph of Sai Baba – from her locker at the Northdale Hospital and show them to the hospital chief executive, Buhle Maphanga, as well as seven members of the hospital’s executive committee.
She was accused of using the deities to practise witchcraft.
The Department of Health had said at the time that it was investigating.
Sam Mkhwanazi, provincial health spokesperson, also said if any individual was found guilty of contravening another’s constitutional rights, “they would be subjected to the most appropriate action allowed by the law”.
The Daily News reported that the woman was undergoing psychiatric treatment to help her come to terms with the ordeal.
According to a statement issued by Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, he re-iterated the department’s great concern over these allegations of religious discrimination.
He said the hospital’s CEO and seven officials inspected the operational manager’s cupboard.
“The department wishes to assure the public that this was an isolated incident, and that the matter will be fully investigated,” said the MEC.
He also reminded all government employees that in the course of their duty, they were at all times expected to fully respect and abide by the Constitution.
“The department fully upholds the rights of all citizens to follow and practice any religion of their choice; so long as such rights do not interfere with operations in the workplace,” said Dhlomo.