Gauteng Health Dept acted improperly in appointing Mthunzi as Tembisa Hospital CEO - PP
In a recently released report, the chapter nine institution found there were material discrepencies in Mthunzi’s application form which were not properly investigated by the department.
FILE: Tembisa Hospital. Picture: Louise McAuliffe/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Public Protector has found that the Gauteng Department of Health acted improperly in hiring the late Dr Ashley Mthunzi as the CEO of Tembisa Hospital.
In a recently released report, the Chapter Nine institution found that there were material discrepancies in Mthunzi’s application form, which were not properly investigated by the department.
Mthunzi died in April this year following a short illness.
At the time of his death, Mthunzi was suspended from the hospital for an unrelated matter concerning improper procurement and payment of service providers at Tembisa Hospital.
During the interview process for Tembisa Hospital CEO, Mthunzi said he had no pending disciplinary cases against him.
However, in her report, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka said that Mthunzi was being investigated by his previous employer, the Pholosong Hospital.
A report presented to Gcaleka’s office showed that Mthunzi allegedly flouted Pholosong’s recruitment processes and hired three food services without their posts being advertised.
Gcaleka said that the Gauteng Department of Health failed to do proper pre-screening and background checks on Mthunzi.
The Public Protector has ordered the provincial health department to hire a service provider that will conduct personal suitability checks on all its senior managers.