The Sunday Independent reports that the newly appointed chief executive of the Far East Rand Hospital, Dr Zachariah Mathaba, was employed despite facing charges of gross dishonesty for allegedly being paid for two years’ overtime that he “did not fulfil”.  

Mathaba was one of the 11 chief executives appointed by Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku at the end of October.  By Masuku’s own account, Mathaba was charged in January this year for “gross dishonesty in that he applied for commuted or fixed overtime from 1 September 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018, and April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, and did not fulfil his commuted overtime contractual obligation.”  This occurred when he was a doctor at the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital.  Masuku said the normal disciplinary process was ongoing.  When asked why Mathaba had been appointed despite the serious charges against him, Masuku’s spokesperson Philani Mhlungu downplayed the allegations.  “The Public Service Commission has made final findings on the matter, and the Department intends to implement its recommendations,” said Mhlungu.  DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said he was shocked that Mathaba had been appointed despite serious charges against him that had not been finalised since January.  “This highlights slow discipline and lack of scrutiny of applicants for senior jobs.  This should never have slipped through, and I hope Masuku rectifies the situation soon,” Bloom commented.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Roland Mpofu on page 2 of The Sunday Independent of 8 December 2019

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