Suspended Matlala Hospital CEO fights back against ‘baseless’ claims

THE angry suspended Matlala Hospital CEO, Tseke Tladi is fighting his precautionary suspension by the department of health and has dubbed it malicious and baseless.

Tladi was put on precautionary suspension last Wednesday pending investigations into allegations of mismanagement of the hospital and compromising the administration of healthcare services. He was prohibited from making contact with the media but after seeking legal advice, he decided to defend himself.

He said he was rejecting all the allegations levelled against him with the contempt they deserved. Tladi said the allegations formed part of a smear campaign to damage his reputation.

“Why should I mismanage the hospital when I have supervisors?

“The hospital is doing well in its efficiency. Surprisingly, last year in the same district, two CEO’s were suspended and there was no media hype. The spokesperson never released a statement. I feel vulnerable. I am still an employee of the department. The employer must make sure that I enjoy my constitutional right to dignity and honour until the finalisation of the case,” he said.

According to him, the hospital was stable.

“The food supply is normal and it is not true that patients ate rotten food. It is a criminal and punishable act to feed patients rotten food because it is equal to food poisoning. It is an exaggeration with malicious intent to suggest that patients went a day without meals,” he said.

“It is also not true that they stabilised procurement because procurement has long been transferred to the district office because of a shortage of personnel. I deny that I have any personal interest in procurement because if I had, I wouldn’t transfer it to the district level,” he said.

“I believe I have a case of constructive dismissal. It is a classic case of constructive dismissal and I don’t think I will be able to work with them again,” Tladi said.

In the statement issued by Macks Lesufi, health spokesperson, he said the department placed emphasis and priority on patient care.

“The commitment requires management to ensure that patient care remains top priority and the public receives quality healthcare at all times.

“The department has, after having assessed the situation at Matlala Hospital, deemed it necessary to take corrective measures in order to effect improvement and efficiency.

“The measures include placing the CEO of the hospital on a precautionary suspension with immediate effect pending finalisation of the investigation,” Lesufi stated.