Tebogo Msimanga |
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] says it is angered by the decision of the National Department of Health to demote senior two officials implicated in the Digital Vibes scandal after having been found guilty by a disciplinary hearing.
Secretary General Zola Saphetha said as NEHAWU, they are vehemently opposed to this shocking decision to demote the two officials, Deputy Director General and Chief Director who were found guilty by the disciplinary hearing following the digital vibes scandal which costs taxpayers millions of rands.
“We expected the department to send a clear message by taking a clear corrective measure as a sign that the department does not tolerate any acts of gross misconduct, corruption and mismanagement of public resources”.
Saphetha said thye are dismayed that the department can act in such a manner by retaining in their employ the two individuals that have been found guilty in a scandal that not only embarrassed and brought the department in disrepute, but also exposed the rot and malfeasance that had occurred at the peak of COVID-19 when the country needed at its disposal every available resource to fight against COVID-19.
“What infuriates us, even more, is that the department had assured the public that all those implicated and found to have committed wrong would be dealt with accordingly, however the opposite instead has occurred with this decision to demote the two senior officials” Saphethat further said this is only a slap in the wrist for the officials and does not send a strong message to society about clean governance and administration of public resources
