Question NW2949 to the Minister of Health
28 September 2023 - NW2949
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he is informed on matters related to provincial departments with regard to staff charged with serious misconduct; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the update on the ongoing case against a certain person (details furnished) and the person’s involvement with charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (b) how does his department intend on ensuring lasting systems to prevent such brazen acts of corruption?
Reply:
Yes the National Department of Health is informed by all provinces on many issues, including matters related to misconduct.
(a) According to the KZN Department of Health, the case against Sibongile Zungu, the former Head of Kwazulu-Natal is being handled by the law enforcement agencies and they have not been updated on the matter.
(b) In response to the prevalence of fraud, corruption and mismanagement of financial resources, the Department has sought a number of remedies to curb these anomalies by reviewing its policies, embarking on proper management of records and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Department has developed and adopted a Fraud Prevention Plan, Fraud Prevention Strategy and a Whistleblowing Policy which is widely circulated within the Department.
The Department continues to conduct Fraud and Anti-Corruption Awareness to all employees.
END.