Unions want CEO of hospital fired

Limpopo health MEC urged to lay down the law

Disgruntled labour unions in the health sector in Limpopo are demanding that health MEC Phophi Ramathuba fire a hospital boss, who allegedly suspended officials on a whim and is under investigation for maladministration.

Nehawu, PSA, Hospersa and Denosa wrote to Ramathuba and head of department Dr Thokozani Mhlongo last week, asking her to act against Groblersdal Provincial Hospital CEO Dr Lesiba Rashokeng.

Rashokeng was placed on precautionary suspension in December but returned to work allegedly under dubious circumstances while investigations against him are pending.

Now the unions want Reshokeng to vacate office within 14 days, starting from the day the communique was received by the department.

In a memorandum, which was sent via email to Mhlongo signed by the Newahu’s branch chairperson, Rhodes Msiza, and deputy secretary Steven Ntjana, that Sowetan has seen, the unions said: “We recommend that all his maladministration cases be finalised as a matter of urgency and he must be investigated for procedural unfairness, abuse of power and state resources.

“We request that all suspended officials be recalled as a matter of urgency to prevent fruitless and wasteful expenditure.”

Ntjana said since Rashokeng was placed on special leave, there was some stability at the hospital and staff morale was on the rise but since his return, morale is at its lowest.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Rashokeng referred Sowetan to the department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, who didn’t respond to enquiries..

According to the memo, Rashokeng also suspended three Nehawu shop stewards unfairly.

“We as labour forums concluded that the CEO is not fit to run the hospital and he is not adding value. He acted disorderly and in an unfair manner in suspending officials.”

A union member who works at the hospital said investigations against Rashokeng relate to the construction of hospital gate, which was allegedly overpriced, in 2018.