Errors of government staff come at huge cost

Govt employees’ conduct must safeguard state from prosecution,

Sometimes, it is surprising how government employees cost government for being negligent when it comes to applying laws correctly and protecting government from being sued in court for errors made by government officials.

Government has paid out millions of rands for the patients of Life Esidimeni. Government is losing money due to the negligence of employees.

Some members of the public have sued government in court for wrongful arrests, bad treatment, or faulty operations carried out in public health institutions. This has led to government having to pay huge fines.

Last year, there was a man talking on the radio about being arrested for a crime he never committed and serving about 10 years in jail.

Fortunately, his cousin graduated with a law qualification while he was still serving the life sentence for a rape he never committed. The graduate cousin opened his own law company and a year later fi led papers for the case of his arrested relative to be reviewed.

The convicted and jailed man was found innocent in the rape case and government had to pay him millions of rand in compensation for wrongful arrest.

Government needs to employ people who understand their jobs very well, otherwise they will cause problems.