The Mpumalanga provincial government has suspended Riena Charles, the former health departmental head, from her post with the premier’s office, SABC news reported on Thursday.
This follows the auditor general’s report on her activities while she still headed the health department. She appears to have used the department’s money to pay for her boyfriend’s funeral.
Charles and Sibongile Manana, the former Mpumalanga health minister, were late last year moved to other positions in the provincial government after three reports pointed to fraud and corruption in the health department.
Ndaweni Mahlangu, the then premier, was criticised for his action.
Manana is also being investigated by the Scorpions and she has already appeared in the Pretoria regional court.
The Mpumalanga provincial government has now found it necessary to suspend Charles.
”Ms Charles is said to have been directly involved in those alleged irregularities and we felt that it would be in the interest of good governance that she vacates office,” said Stanley Soko, the Mpumalanga Director General. — Sapa