Health MEC 'slapped on wrist'

2003-05-27 09:58

Linda de Nysschen

Nelspruit - Apparently the only "punishment" meted out to Mpumalanga's controversial health MEC Sibongile Manana for financial mismanagement and maladministration in her department is that she will no longer be allowed to make decisions.

On Tuesday, the provincial government gave assurances Manana would be held politically accountable for the problems, but was unable say how.

Manana and her department head, Rina Charles, still occupy their posts, despite a decision to place the department under curatorship.

Provincial spokesperson Joy Lelonkane said the only change was Manana and Charles would no longer be allowed to make decisions by themselves.

"Whatever the problems are, that's how the executive council decided to solve them," she said in response to a question about whether taking away their decision-making powers amounted to holding them accountable.

Even urgent decisions affected

A joint task team consisting of senior officials from other departments now attend the department's management meeting every morning to help with decision-making.

For urgent decisions later in the day, Charles must contact the director-general and task-team head Stanley Soko.

Manana is not allowed to take any decisions without consulting the so-called political committee.

Public works MEC Steve Mabona and housing MEC Simeon Ginida also serve on the committee.

- Beeld