Regulator roots out rot

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has suspended general manager of compliance and investigations Stephen Mmatli amid allegations of graft.

This follows tip-offs related to his conduct relating to the affairs of the regulator, the council announced yesterday.

“A whistleblower alleged that Mmatli deliberately misled the regulator of the medical schemes industry to take decisions in favour of certain organisations.

“He allegedly benefited financially in return.

“The seriousness of the allegations warranted his suspension as a precautionary measure to enable the regulator to conduct the investigation without any interference,” the CMS said.

“The Council for Medical Schemes is committed to conducting the regulatory affairs of the health sector with the highest degree of ethics, integrity and compliance with corporate governance. Ethics and compliance with laws are vital to CMS’s success,” CMS acting registrar and CEO Sipho Kabane said.

The CMS’s mandate was to “protect the interests of members, control, and coordinate the functioning of schemes in a manner that is complementary with national policies and investigate complaints and settle disputes in relation to the affairs of schemes as provided for by medical legislation and we will continue to uphold this mandate”, he said. – ANA