BusinessLive reports that Gauteng’s health department has conducted disciplinary hearings for 111 cases involving a “cash-for-jobs” scam at the Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Soweto.  

Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng health spokesperson MEC Jack Bloom indicated that this was disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in an oral reply to his questions in the Gauteng legislature on Tuesday.  Ramokgopa divulged that trade unions had helped to uncover the scam and it had been handed over to the Hawks for investigation.  The department began its probe in 2017.  “The situation was so bad that an assassin had been hired to murder the hospital CEO‚ but he had been caught and convicted‚ and was currently awaiting sentence‚” said Bloom.  He added that cases had also been opened with the police for employees who had extorted money under the pretence that they could secure jobs for people at the hospital.  “All but eight of the 111 cases have been finalised — resulting in various periods of suspension for 98 employees‚ one demotion‚ some dismissals and a resignation‚” Bloom indicated.  He also said he was concerned that the vast majority of those who got jobs for cash were still working at the hospital‚ which had a reputation for “poor service”.

• Read this report by Ernest Mabuza in full at BusinessLive

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