Question NW2052 to the Minister of Health
09 June 2022 - NW2052
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the update on the request that racism, misogyny and sexism be investigated at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, following the incident where Ms Mpho Seleka, a former employee of the National Health Laboratory Services, who after reporting abuse to the committee member, was shortlisted for an interview which was revoked two nights before; (2) what are the facts surrounding the specified person’s case; (3) why was the person (a) shortlisted and/or (b) released from doing the interview; (4) who are the persons who took these decisions?
Reply:
1. This question was raised at the Portfolio Committee held on the 19 April 2022. The NHLS CEO investigated these matters and responded to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee in the letter dated 17 May 2022 (see attached letter).
Ms Seleka was a senior scientist at NICD and was charged with misconduct. She was subsequently dismissed, and the matter was later concluded at the CCMA as a result of a settlement agreement reached by both parties.
2. A report detailing a sequence of events surrounding the specified person’s case are found in the attached report.
3. Ms Mpho Seleka has never applied to the NHLS nor NICD after her services were terminated.
4. The NHLS confirms that Ms Mpho Seleka has never applied to the NHLS nor NICD after her services were terminated. There is, therefore, no record of her being invited to the interview and later released.
END.