IFP worries over corruption in KZN

Durban - The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday urged the provincial government to resolve problems involving senior positions in the health department.

IFP health spokesperson Ncamisile Nkwanyana said she was deeply concerned about the department.

"The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal is deeply concerned about allegations of mismanagement and corruption against the HOD of Health and the suspension of the CFO and the supply chain manager as this does not augur well for the department in 2015.

"These senior officials are sitting at home earning a salary while the department drags its heels in finalising the investigations."

On Wednesday Thami Ngwenya, the head of provincial government communications, confirmed that allegations of mismanagement and corruption levelled against the embattled Dr Sibongile Zungu were being investigated.

He said then that the investigation was aimed "to get clarity on what are [the] allegations".

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has repeatedly called for her to be sacked and at a press conference on December 4 threatened to bring the department to a standstill.

While Ngwenya did not say what the allegations were, Nehawu has blamed her for alleged wasteful expenditure, maladministration and corruption under her leadership.

Zungu, whose contract expired last August and has been employed on a monthly basis, has denied the allegations.

On Wednesday night the department issued a brief statement which read: "The department did receive confirmation last year that there was an enquiry into the allegations raised by Nehawu. The department has previously responded to the allegations on several occasions.

"The department welcomes the enquiry, so that the matter can finally be put to rest."

Nkwanyana urged those who were making the allegations to bring the necessary evidence.

"This department cannot go on functioning under a cloud of uncertainty that hangs over some of its senior managers. For the HOD of such a huge department to be in limbo is unacceptable as it stifles forward planning and compromises quality health care in our province," she said.