According to the allegations, the relatives and connections of nine management officials at the Department of Health and three Nehawu members were unfairly recruited.
THREE National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) leaders have been placed on immediate precautionary suspension after they were charged with colluding with management to appoint their family members and acquaintances into permanent positions at the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital and West End Specialised Hospital.
According to the allegations, the relatives and connections of nine management officials at the Department of Health and three Nehawu members were unfairly recruited.
It is believed that the appointments include mistresses, a former personal assistant and a domestic worker of a high-ranking official and the wife of a senior manager, as well as sons and daughters-in-law of union members.
A request was made to urgently investigate the appointments and refer the matter to the authorities, including the Public Protector, the Public Service Commissioner, the labour relations unit and the SAPS.
Critics pointed out that these appointments painted the union in a bad light as it was supposed to be at the forefront of fighting nepotism, fraud and corruption in state departments.
Community health workers, catering staff and general workers from the Covid brigades, who have provided cleaning services since 2020 and who are employed on a contract basis, feel that they were sidelined in favour of outsiders, where 12 cleaners/general assistants were appointed at the Department of Health in March.
Several union members apparently resigned from Nehawu and joined other unions as they believe that the appointments were made in an unethical manner.
It was reported that Covid brigade workers were victimised and bullied by management, who also allegedly threatened to terminate their contracts.
Charges that were brought against Nehawu regional chairperson Isaac Shuping, West End Specialist Hospital branch secretary Michael Tong and deputy branch secretary Bothata Ntlhelang on July 27 include failing to protect the job security of members to advance their employment prospects, acting against the interests of the union and violating the constitution, policies and membership code.
Union members pointed out that the suspended leaders would not be able to contest the upcoming regional conference that will be taking place from August 7 to 8.
Nehawu provincial secretary Moleme Moleme requested space to process internal organisational processes without any hindrance.
“The matters are being dealt with by the structures of the national union as guided by our constitution, our founding principles, character and resolutions of Nehawu.
“On the issues relating to the recruitment processes, enquiries should be referred to the affected departments and institutions.”
Moleme said that regional conferences in the John Taolo Gaetsewe, Arshall Thembani Dyushu and DS Aubrey Beukes regions were concluded successfully without any incidents.
“The PEC (provincial executive committee) re-affirm its stance of building a united organisation in the Province and strengthening public service delivery campaigns in the health sector and state administration sector to improve working conditions of our members.”
Moleme regretted that the suspensions were being raised in the media, instead of highlighting issues affecting their members in the workplace.
“These include, but are not limited to, the chronic shortage of staff at the Department of Health that affects service delivery to the public and the non-adjustment of salaries for community health workers.
“Employees also render services to the public in unsafe and uninhabitable workplaces in the absence of occupational health and safety committees and non-compliance by the provincial government and national departments,”
The provincial organiser of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw), Thapelo Thole, said that around 500 members in the Sol Plaatje district, including from Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, West End Hospital, Galeshewe Day Hospital and the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital, had joined the union since last year.
“Officials and community health workers are dissatisfied that their union was exploiting them instead of protecting their interests. We condemn acts of nepotism and call for a thorough investigation into the irregular appointments. Senior managers who were implicated must also be brought to book. The Department of Health is a rubbish dump for cadre deployment and nepotism.”
Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo confirmed that complaints were laid by members of the Covid brigades earlier this year regarding allegations of nepotism in relation to cleaner positions at the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital.
“Covid brigades employed at the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital were dissatisfied that they were not shortlisted for the positions of cleaners and general assistants at the health facility. A preliminary investigation was conducted and the outcome is still pending,” said Mxekezo.
She indicated that the Covid brigades were contracted through a non-governmental organisation as a service provider and were not employees of the department.
“Numerous grievances were forwarded to the labour relations unit. They are not covered under the grievance procedure for public service.”
Mxekezo found the allegations against employees of the Department of Health relating to alleged irregular recruitment and appointment procedures “disturbing”.
“Since the matter is currently under investigation, it will be premature to speculate whether or not these appointments are irregular.’
She added that disciplinary action or suspensions that were instituted by Nehawu members fell outside the scope of the department.
“However, any confirmation of improper conduct on the part of employees could result in similar action being considered by the Department of Health.”
