Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko disclosed in a written reply to Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom’s questions that R3.9 million was paid to seven Cuban doctors who had left South Africa to go back to Cuba.
Bloom said the expensive bungle happened as 28 Cuban doctors were hired in terms of a one-year contract to assist with the Covid-19 pandemic, but the contracts for seven of them were irregularly extended for another year.
Instead of their contracts ending on May 14, 2021, they continued to receive salaries without working until May 2022.
Bloom asked why were Cuban doctors still being paid after their contract expired on May 14, 2021.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “The temporary employment contracts of seven Cuban healthcare workers were extended without following the required process and without the proper approval granted to the officials who extended it. Management was unaware of the payments made after the Cuban healthcare workers had left the country.
“The officials who extended the contracts allege to have not been aware that the Cuban healthcare workers were no longer in the country.”
She also revealed that the oversight had been flagged by the auditor-general as a “material irregularity”.
“An investigation has led to the recovery of R1.2 million, and disciplinary charges have been laid against the responsible officials. The Cuban government has also been contacted to recover the outstanding money,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Bloom questioned what steps had been taken or would be taken to establish culpability and accountability in the matter.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said: “The matter has been reported to the Provincial Treasury and National Department of Health. Officials involved have been charged and disciplinary processes have commenced. The department referred the matter to the State Attorney to assist with recovering the outstanding balance.”
Bloom said it boggled the mind that seven foreign doctors were paid for an entire year when they were not even in the country.
“It is also outrageous that R2.7 million is still not recovered more than two years after this wasteful expenditure, and the officials concerned have not yet been disciplined. It’s yet another example of deep incompetence and possible corruption in this department,” said Bloom.
He said the DA in Gauteng believed there was no reason to hire Cuban doctors when so many local doctors were unemployed.
“The priority should always be the best use of the available budget to provide quality healthcare,” said Bloom.
According to reports, there were about 800 unemployed medical doctors in South Africa.
The Star