Durban - As opposition parties expressed shock at reports that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health had employed Ndoda Biyela as its new chief financial officer, the head of the legislature’s finance portfolio committee, Sipho “KK” Nkosi, said it would never accept the decision.
Biyela, who left the Gauteng Department of Health in August while on suspension following allegations that he had been involved in tender irregularities, has denied there was anything untoward about his appointment.
Head of KZN health, Dr Sibongile Zungu, confirmed Biyela’s appointment earlier this week. She said he had been appointed in February.
However, health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo last night told The Mercury he would set the record straight today about the issue and denied that Biyela had been employed.
“It is incorrect that (Biyela) has been employed in the Department of Health. There are many things you cannot ignore, one of the glaring ones is his previous employer, which is public knowledge,” he said.
When put to him that Biyela had confirmed that he had been employed, Dhlomo put his foot down.
“Don’t even tell me what (Biyela) told you because I have nothing to do with him. He is not part of our department.”
However, when this reporter called Biyela at the health department head office in Pietermaritzburg earlier on Wednesday, a switchboard operator transferred the call to Biyela’s secretary, who said he was busy in a meeting.
When contacted later on Wednesday, Biyela said that he had resigned from Gauteng after reaching a settlement with his former employer about his charges. He said his employment in KZN was lawful and legitimate.
“I had a settlement with the Gauteng Department of Health through the Public Sector Bargaining Council. My appointment (in KZN) is lawful and in accordance with the Public Service Act, and its regulations were complied with,” he said.
He said additional questions should be directed to a spokesman for the health department, or Zungu.
Zungu said the CFO had been employed. “His case had been finalised in Gauteng. They reach an amicable settlement,” she said.
Nkosi insisted on Wednesday that Biyela’s employment would not fly.
“We are aware of the case and we are waiting to deal with it.”
He said the committee was looking forward to confronting Biyela with questions about his past in Gauteng. He said the committee had missed the opportunity to question him as he was absent when the health department appeared before the committee two weeks ago.
“I don’t believe that he will be appointed.
We are saying when you are facing charges you should not be employed in the government,” he said.
Nkosi said the provincial legislature had repeatedly insisted as far back as 2011 that government departments should have a system that would inform their counterparts elsewhere about the status of candidates they intended to employ.
“Even the president once said this,” said Nkosi.
So far, the Gauteng department has declined to detail the tender concerned or Biyela’s suspension, except that spokesman Chris Maxon said he resigned while on suspension. He could not elaborate whether this meant that the disciplinary action was dropped because of his resignation.
“He was precautionary suspended. He subsequently tendered his resignation. The employer-employee relationship ended when he tendered his resignation,” said Maxon.
Biyela told the Mercury that he had 10 years as a public servant in the finance area. He said he worked for the Gauteng and KZN treasury departments.
“I fixed the finance problem in KZN health in 2009, which was R4 billion in the red and I got it back to the positive and balanced the budget,” he said.
He said he also worked with Limpopo Province where he “did well”.
Both the IFP and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said they were shocked by Biyela’s employment in the province.
EFF MPL Vusi Khoza said the chief financial officer required an official whose “character was beyond reproach, with unquestionable credentials”.
“We are well aware that Mr Biyela was suspended by the Gauteng Department of Health, suspected of tender irregularities. We wonder how this decision was taken.
“We would, however, not be surprised if he is one of the ANC beneficiaries of cadre deployment policy,” said Khoza.
IFP MPL Ncamisile Nkwanyana said Zungu would have to explain Biyela’s appointment.
“How a person who was mentioned in serious allegations can be employed in such a vital position dealing with finances is beyond logic. We will ask questions and demands answers from the MEC and the Premier.
“We will write to the Gauteng Department of Health to seek answers about those allegations pertaining to Biyela’s suspension,” Nkwanyana said.
He said the appointment was contrary to Premier Senzo Mchunu’s fight against corruption and maladministration.
DA MPL Imran Keeka said, “The DA in KZN does not welcome this appointment. This policy of shunting of allegedly corrupt cronies by the governing party does not augur well for the people of KZN.”
The Mercury