Gauteng Health phone lines cut due to non-payment
The cash stripped Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that Telkom has cut off its phone lines due to non-payment.
The Democratic Alliance's (DA) Shadow Minister of Health, Jack Bloom says this has been going on for months.
"Telkom has not been paid for many months and it is now impossible to get a hold of staff at the head office using a landline. The staff cannot phone out either and have to rely on cell phones, which are expensive," says Bloom.
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Bloom claims this has also affected the Bheki Mlangeni Hospital in Jabulani.
"Anxious relatives cannot contact the hospital to find out how their loved ones are doing. In March this year the department owed R1.234 billion in late payments to 808 companies that had not been paid within the legally required period of 30 days," he says.
The Department's spokesperson Prince Hamnca says they will deal with the matter soon.
"I can confirm that there has been problems related to our lines at head office and some of our facilities. We have already started discussions with the service provider to work out a payment plan. We will meet with the service provider before the end of this week," says Hamca.
This latest development comes after furniture was attached at the head office due to non-payment.