News24 reports that according to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Jack Bloom, the Gauteng Department of Health (DOH) has paid 13 suspended employees undergoing disciplinary hearings R790,000.  

This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku in a written reply to Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng legislature.  "According to Masuku, the suspended staff include four directors, two deputy directors, two social workers, two contract workers, an operation manager, a property caretaker and a radiographer," Bloom advised in a statement on Sunday.  One of the staff members was currently on special leave and working from home while awaiting the conclusion of an investigation.  According to DOH spokesperson Kwara Kekana, the 13 employees were suspended for various reasons, including absconding from duty, absenteeism and improper conduct.  "The labour relations process has not concluded with regards to their disciplinary process, and the department works within the ambit of the law when dealing with all HR processes.  Strengthening leadership and governance is one of the key priority areas of the 6th administration, this involves speedy resolution of labour relations issues," she stated.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Azarrah Karrim at News24

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