No Gauteng Health HR Chief for more than 6 years

25 November 2024

The Gauteng Health Department has not had a permanent Chief Director: Human Resource Management for more than 6 years - this is yet another example of appalling mismanagement that hurts so many patients in our public hospitals and clinics.

According to Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, the post has been vacant since 31 May 2018.

A top-notch HR directorate is essential to recruit the best staff and assist them to perform well.

I suspect this position has been filled by acting people for so long because it enables the appointment of buddies and people who protect the corruption networks that plague this department.

The Public Service Commission has made scathing findings about irregular appointments. This includes a recommendation in March last year that the irregular appointment of Ms B Baloyi, the Deputy Director General: Corporate Services, be set aside by approaching the Labour Court. The department's lame excuse why this has not happened yet is that there is no budget.

The PSC has also pointed to the lack of an approved Organisational Structure for 20 years and recommended this be finalised, but this has still not been done.

Gauteng’s sick and injured deserve better than this poor administration.

The DA will continue to push for a complete overhaul of the department’s top management to root out incompetence and those who collude with corruption. We also call for an immediate prioritisation of the appointment of a qualified HR Chief in the Health Department and the speedy filling of critical vacancies which are much needed if we are to see improvements in the delivery of health services by government in Gauteng.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 25 November 2024