NEHAWU Free State Calls for The Immediate Suspension Of The Acting HOD of Health Pending His Corruption Case
Thursday March 17, 2022
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in the Free State Province is dismayed by the reluctance of the Free State Premier, Sefora Ntombela to take decisive action and immediately suspend the acting HOD of Health, Godfrey Mahlatsi pending his corruption case.
The acting HOD is facing charges relating to fraud, corruption, forgery and money laundering. The alleged crimes cost the department R8.7-million. The acting head of department hand himself over to the police following a warrant of arrest that was issued. He appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court and was granted bail.
The acting HOD is also being investigated by Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for alleged Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] tender fraud relating to an amount of R39 million that was awarded by Provincial Treasury to 32 service providers who supplied sub-standard equipment to the department of health.
As NEHAWU, we are shocked that the Provincial Department of Health and the Premier have not seen the necessity of placing the acting head on suspension following the serious charges that he faces. The charges are serious and warrant an immediate suspension of the HOD. Our call to the Provincial Government is based on a principal of fighting and combating corruption in our society. Corruption has no place in our society.
Lastly, we reiterate that swift action must be taken by the Premier Ntombela to prove that the province is serious about curbing corruption in the Free State Government.
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For further information, please contact
Issued by NEHAWU Free State Provincial Secretariat
Khauhelo Mnqibisa [Provincial Secretary] at 063 685 1887 or email Khauhelo@nehawu.org.za
Jack Mabeba [Provincial Deputy Secretary] at 063 685 1907 or email Jack@nehawu.org.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za