Seventeen criminal cases have been opened against employees of the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital as part of the disciplinary process against 116 employees in the last three years.
This is disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, in a written reply to the Democratic Alliances (DA) Health Shadow MEC Jack Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
Disciplinary cases include the following:
13 cases of alleged unauthorised possession of hospital property
12 cases of improper, disgraceful and unacceptable conduct
12 cases of insubordination
11 cases of gross negligence
11 absenteeism cases
5 fraud charges
5 theft charges
“There were two cases where employees were charged with soliciting money from the public in exchange for jobs,” said Bloom.
According to Mahlangu, out of 55 formal disciplinary processes, 21 are closed, eight are on appeal, 18 are pending investigation, six are at a disciplinary hearing stage and two are awaiting sanction and the implementation of a sanction respectively.
“R648 484 has been paid out for suspension without pay in the last three years.”
Bloom said, “I am concerned that 34 out of 55 cases are not finalised as discipline should be as swift as possible while following due process.
“Effective discipline is essential to raise service standards in our hospital.”