Pretoria - The return of 10 of 17 staff fingered in sex-for jobs and jobs-for-sale allegations at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital has left a bitter taste in the mouths of whistle-blowers. They feel not enough has been done to protect the reputation of the hospital.
Concerned hospital staff on Thursday said the return of the 10 from a seven-month suspension smacked of inadequate work by the risk assessor and other investigators.
“We worked hard to gather information over the past couple of years. It was the volume of evidence that led to their suspension,” a union member said on Thursday.
Sources, who spoke anonymously for fear of victimisation, said the recruitment irregularities had surfaced as far back as 2007 and increased over the years.
Cleaners, laundry workers, porters and mortuary attendants had been the target of the alleged corruption. Some qualified for the posts but were dumped in favour of friends, relatives and others who claimed to have paid the officials.
Organised labour gathered evidence, interviewed victims and beneficiaries and got sworn statements. These were presented to management early last year. “But they ignored us, promising to investigate but doing nothing,” a unionist said.
But the number of complainants increased. More interviewees – whose employment was confirmed and then revoked at the last minute – came forward and more admitted to having paid or had sex to get on staff lists. “Amounts paid range from R3 500 to R7 500,” the sources said.
After a mass meeting in February, where some victims and beneficiaries spoke openly of the corrupt acts, management was forced to take action, and 17, including a director, were suspended.
“Many were called to testify during the hearings, presenting irrefutable evidence, so we were shocked when told that 10 would be back,” a union member said.
They demanded a copy of the investigation report and were denied it, only to given a verbal report at the end of September.
In that session they were told the director would be investigated separately; that cases against six had not been proved; and four faced minor charges. “We were told 10 would be reinstated while six would not be coming back,” said the disgruntled staffer. The whistle-blowers were not satisfied with the outcome, and again asked for a copy of the original investigation report.
Management refused, and denied unionists the right to stage lunch-time pickets, forcing them to protest outside the gate. The department on Thursday refused to divulge information on the investigation, saying it was classified, privileged and sub judice. Spokesman Prince Hamnca said: “Ten have returned to work and disciplinary processes will follow for the remaining seven.”
He admitted the unionists had not been given the report. “They were made aware of the reasons why,” he said, but union members disputed this. “We’ve tried time and again to see the report, because therein is the reason for the shoddy investigative work and outcome.”
Pretoria News