Question NW837 to the Minister of Health

PROVINCE

RESPONSE

KwaZulu-Natal

1. (a)

• The allegations that are received from the whistle blowers in KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health are treated as “Anonymous” complainants in order to protect the identity of the whistle blower throughout the investigation process. Should the investigation reveal that there are elements criminality that needs to be reported to South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department will report the matter to SAPS and serve as the complainant based on the investigation findings and this will be done without making any reference to the whistle blower.

2. Yes, approved copy is available.

b) Yes, approved copy is available.

3.Ta) he Department has an approved Fraud Prevention Strategy that has its implementation plan, the Whistleblowing Policy stipulates that irrespective of whether the reporting person chooses to disclose or not, their identity, the Minimum Information Security Standard (MISS) shall be always exercised, and information shall be communicated on a “need to know basis”.

b) Fraud Prevention governance documents were adopted by the relevant policy steering committees and subsequently approved by the Head of Department, they are being rolled during the continuous Fraud Prevention Awareness workshops for implementation and adherence by all officials of the Department.

4. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has a responsibility to protect the whistle blowers by ensuring that their identity remains confidential. The strategy is being communicated to all officials of the Department, through various channels of communication.

Mpumalanga

1(a) In the Department there are guidelines which are issued in terms of the Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 (Act 26 of 2000), and are aimed at assisting and protect employees who wish to disclose certain information. Employees who are reporting suspected cases of fraud and/or corruption are protected from retribution, vilification, or other consequences pursuant to the terms of the Department fraud and corruption.

2. Yes, Mpumalanga Department of health has an approved Fraud Prevention Plan.

a) Yes, Mpumalanga Department of health has an approved Whistle Blowing Policy.

3.

a) Fraud Prevention Plan was adopted and implemented by the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Risk Management unit regularly conducts training workshops on Fraud and prevention plan.

b) Whistle Blowing Policy was adopted and implemented by the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Risk Management unit regularly conducts training workshops on Whistle Blowing Policy Statement.

4.

a) The Department does not have a full report with details on the outcomes of the strategy to protect whistle blowers however, the Department depends entirely on the Protected disclosure Act, 26 of 2000 that make provision for protection of employees.

Limpoppo

1. (a) The department has developed and implements the “Whistle Blowing Policy” and the underlying pillars of the policy to protect the Whistle blowers are:

• The whistleblowers are afforded option to report anonymously.

• The Whistleblowers’ identity is being protected at all times.

2. The department has approved Fraud Prevention Plan.

a) The department has approved Whistle Blowing Policy.

3. a) Fraud Prevention Plan was adopted and implemented.

b) Whistle Blowing Policy was adopted and implemented.

4. Every effort is to ensure that the whistle blowers are protected and that their identity remains confidential.

Western Cape

4. (a) The department has a Whistle-blowing Policy document and there are relevant Annexures

in place which supports the implementation of the Policy.

2. 

(a) The department has approved Fraud Prevention Plan which is implemented.

(b) The department has approved Whistle Blowing Policy which is implemented

3. 

• The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has adopted and implemented a Fraud Prevention Plan and Whistle Blowing Policy. The department issued Finance Circular: FAC6/2023 in which the Fraud Prevention Strategy was pronounced during September 2023. The Department will reissue a Fraud Circular annually with the most up to date polices.

4. 

• The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is unable to provide such a report as the majority of referrals related to suspected fraud, theft and corruption are reported directly through the Provincial Forensic Services (PFS) in line with the provision of the Whistleblowing Policy)

Free State;

(1)

• The department has an approved Whistle-blowing Policy in place.

(2)

(a) The department has approved Fraud Prevention and Implementation Plan.

(b) The department has approved Whistle Blowing Policy and Implementation Procedure.

(3) Both the Fraud Prevention Policy – Implementation Plan and the Whistle Blowing Policy were approved I the current financial year (2023-2024)

4. None

Gauteng,

1. 

• The process of development of a Whistleblowing in Gauteng is coordinated at the Office of the Premier, however the has department developed a guiding Draft Whistleblowing Policy which seeks to comply with Section 6(2) of the Protective Disclosures Act (PDA), that provides practice in terms of reporting and the investigation of wrong-doing and ensuring protection to those who employees who disclose.

2. 

• Gauteng Department of Health's witness protection intent currently incorporated in the Draft Whistle Blowing Policy Draft, however a Whistle Blowing Policy Statement will be officially adopted before the end of the current end of the term.

3)

• a) Since the implementation of the current interim Whistle Blowing arrangements, only two (2) cases were reported of officials being threatened and both the source of threats emanated from externally. In both instances the individuals involved had displayed confidence in the Department's commitment in protecting them.
• 4) the current interim arrangements in place have proven to be adequate, whilst awaiting finalization of the Witness Protection Policy, that is being coordinated at the Office of the Premier.

4. 

a) None

Northern Cape;

Northwest;

(1)

a) Reporters are protected in terms of Protected Disclosures Act and the departmental whistle blowing policy from any form of detriment.

(2)

(a) Approved Fraud prevention policy and strategy for 2023/2024 are readily available.

(b) Whistle blowing policy for 2023/2024 financial year is readily available.

(3)

(a) Fraud Prevention Policy and strategy were approved and implemented throughout the

department.

b) Whistle blowing policy was approved and implemented throughout the department

(4)

• Reporters are protected in terms of Protected Disclosures Act and the departmental policy from any form of detriment.

Eastern Cape

National

1. (a)

• The National Department of Health is in collaboration with stakeholders such as Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the risk assessment was conducted which determined the need for whistle-blower protection or to strengthen the current exiting measures and mechanisms in the health Sector and the processes were enhanced through the above risk assessment. There NDoH has number strategies which are line national laws and policy frameworks that protect the whistle-blower, and they are reviewed, when necessary, especially when there is legislative framework.

The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (HSACF) is playing a critical role in eradicating corruption and the protection of whistle blowers.

2.

(a) The NDoH has the following strategic documents in place:-

• Fraud Prevention Long Term Plan;.

• Fraud Prevention Policy;

• Fraud Prevention Strategy; and

• Fraud Investigation Procedure

3. Both the Fraud Prevention Plan and Whistle Blowing Policy were adopted and subsequently approved by the Accounting Officer.

4. 

• It is common practice that upon finalizing any collaborative assignment, it is incumbent and becomes essential that the National Department of Health and its stakeholders share the good practice through available mechanisms by adopting a comprehensive approach to benefit the public and interested parties