Health workers fired for theft, misconduct at Gauteng hospitals
Two health workers were fired for stealing medication valued at R36,000 and five others were dismissed for misconduct at Gauteng's four hospitals, the provincial department of health said on Tuesday.
Spokesman Steve Mabona said the health workers were fired after investigations into cases of fraud and misconduct at provincial hospitals.
At Tembisa hospital in Ekurhuleni, a pharmacist assistant and a laundry worker were dismissed for stealing 172 boxes containing various medicines last year.
Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the theft were driven by greed. In some cases employees misrepresented the overtime worked and stole from their work place.
"How does one explain the rationale for an assistant pharmacist to steal medicine he should be a custodian of?" asked Mahlangu.
"Anyone found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with harshly."
In other cases at Soweto's Bheki Mlangeni district hospital, four health officials were fired for misconduct that included falsifying documents to deceive the employer and to falsely take up a new position not even applied for.
At Tshwane's George Mukhari hospital, an administration clerk was fired for payment of overtime to another employee without following processes, which led to irregular expenditure of overtime payments. - ANA