Tuesday, 6 September 2011

‘You’re out!’

Hospital staff suspended for alleged fraud

Nine staff have been suspended from an Empangeni hospital for alleged fraud - including the Finance and Systems Manager - and four internal cases have been finalised. This was confirmed by the Lower Umfolozi District War Memorial Hospital CEO, Cebo Myeza on Wednesday. Myeza denied claims that eight members of management were also under investigation. Confidential sources have indicated that the hospital was struggling financially as a result of money being embezzled, and that staff were faced with a lack of supplies. Myeza refuted this, saying the hosipital and Ngwelezana Hospital operate as one complex and therefore, cross-borrowing of supplies was not abnormal. ‘The hospital is currently not bankrupt.’ In response to claims that the staff suspensions were hampering service delivery, Myeza said interim measures were in place to ensure the temporary vacancies were adequately covered.