18 dishonest health department employees fired
18 employees of the Gauteng Department of Health have been dismissed for dishonest conduct.
The dismissed employees were employed in several healthcare facilities around the province and committed transgressions that include absenteeism and the appropriation of milk meant for patients.
A messenger was also fired for stealing schedule four medicines and another Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff member was dismissed after going absent without official leave (AWOL) with an ambulance.
“Government has a duty to proactively promote a culture of honesty and good governance, which will in turn lead to effective and efficient service delivery,” said Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu.
“This requires a public service that is professional, ethical and performs its duties and tasks with integrity.”
The 18 dismissed employees committed these offences:
- Eight for theft, fraud and corruption
- Two for stealing cash that amounted to R10 000
- One going AWOL with an ambulance
- One unauthorised use of government vehicle
- One absenteeism
- One taking part in an illegal strike
- One not reporting an accident while using government car
- One stealing schedule 4 medicines
- One stealing three cellphones and consistent absenteeism
- One embezzlement of milk
With these dismissals, the department hopes to send a strong message that dishonesty at any level of the healthcare system will not be tolerated.
