Health boss quits after 'sting'

2008-04-09 22:35

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal's health boss resigned from her post on Wednesday, as the Scorpions confirmed they were investigating her department.

Scorpions spokesperson Tlali Tlali said the department was the subject of a Scorpions investigation and that the offices of Dr Busi Nyembezi - the suspended head of department - had been raided on Friday afternoon, during which a mammogram scanner was seized.

He said: "There is a DSO-authorised investigation under way involving the department. We conducted a search-and-seizure operation at the department's premises. The machine was consequently seized on the strength of the search warrant.

"We will make other details available when we are in a position to do so," said Tlali.

Scorpions had a key

A statement released from KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele's office on Wednesday said: "Superintendent-general Dr Busi Nyembezi, has agreed to voluntarily step down with immediate effect."

Nyembezi told Sapa by phone that she had stepped down and that any further comment should be obtained from the premier's office.

KwaZulu-Natal health spokesperson Chris Maxxon said the Scorpions' raid had taken place and that the officers arrived with a key to the strongroom at Nyembezi's office.

Apart from the mammogram scanner, used to detect breast cancer, Maxxon said documents were seized and that those conducting the raid had a key to Nyembezi's office.

He said the department had been "surprised" to find the mammogram scanner in Nyembezi's office.

A case had been opened with police in January into the disappearance of the scanner.

"Nobody knew where it was. So, imagine our surprise when they arrived with the key," he said.

Maxxon said the scanner had been tested at Grey's Hospital to see whether it was suitable to be deployed with the department's mobile clinics.

Premier has the report

Nyembezi and health MEC Peggy Nkonyeni had recommended the mammogram scanner after a visit to Brazil last year.

However, Nyembezi was suspended last October amid allegations of fraud as well a poor working relationship with the MEC.

At the time, the SABC reported that it had been alleged that tenders worth R5m had been awarded to companies founded by Nyembezi.

The investigations have been completed, but the report has not been released by Premier Ndebele.

KwaZulu-Natal director-general Kwasi Mbanjwa said Nyembezi had not been investigated for fraud and "there were no such allegations from the premier's office."

Mbanjwa said the investigation had focused on the breakdown between Nkonyeni and Nyembezi and issues of mismanagement.

He said that because she had stepped down there could be no disciplinary action taken against her.

Wanted a second opinion

The Democratic Alliance's Margaret Ambler-Moore said the department had been aware where the scanner was all along.

She said that when the DA had queried "irregularities" on the purchase of the scanner in the legislature, it had been told that "due to having received a negative report from the radiologist at Grey's Hospital, the HOD Dr Busi Nyembezi made arrangements for the machine to be removed from the hospital with the understanding that she, Dr Nyembezi, was to take it to a private radiologist for a second opinion.

"The department has been aware since that date that Dr Nyembezi was in possession of the machine."

- SAPA