KZN health dept probes bribes-for-jobs

2011-10-13 20:00

Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal health department is investigating allegations of staff taking bribes from job seekers, spokesman Chris Maxon said on Thursday.

"The department wishes to assure complainants - that their matters are being addressed. Efforts to identify and root out these syndicates are well in advance."

People apparently paid bribes of between R3 500 and R10 000 to officials to get employment in government health institutions, he said.

Maxon said employees of the department of health had been dismissed for soliciting bribes for thousands of rands.

"A senior staff member from St Francis Hospital, in Mahlabathini, was dismissed and recently lost arbitration after she received a R3 000 bribe from a job seeker."

Another staff member, from Addington Hospital, was dismissed after taking bribes of about R3 500 each from four unsuspecting job seekers.

"We call on other people with information or who have made bribes to submit information and evidence to hospitals or clinics where they were promised employment," Maxon said.

"On Tuesday, a woman was arrested after she posed as a nurse at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital and solicited bribes from job seekers. She allegedly promised them nursing jobs and took bribes of up to R5 000."

- SAPA