DA calls for removal of Gauteng Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko Amid R8 Million Scandal. Image: News24.
(The Post News)- The Democratic Alliance (DA) has renewed its call for the removal of Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and the provincial Health Department head, Lesiba Malotana, following reports of major financial mismanagement.
The opposition party says 12% of the national health budget, R67 billion for the current financial year, will be diverted to paying off last year’s debt, further straining already under-resourced hospitals and clinics.
In its latest findings, the Auditor-General once again flagged the Gauteng Health Department for financial non-compliance, noting failures across all key audit areas, from tender procurement to expenditure management.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom slammed the leadership for failing to act on years of warnings. “Every year the Auditor-General comes out with a scathing report on the Gauteng Health Department,” Bloom said. “For many years now, she’s been saying that there are absolutely no consequences for the officials who haven’t done their job in procuring tenders, supply chain management, and preventing irregular and fruitless expenditure.”
Bloom stressed that accountability lies squarely with the department’s leadership. “The same officials are still in charge of that department, and that’s why we have the problem. The MEC and the head of department need to be removed. Because they’ve been the ones in charge of this department for quite a long time, and it just seems to get worse and worse,” he added.
The Gauteng Health Department has yet to respond to the DA’s renewed calls for leadership changes.
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