The head of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial health department was officially suspended from her post on Wednesday.
A statement released by the KwaZulu-Natal premier’s office said the ”cabinet endorsed the decision to suspend” the superintendent general of the department Dr Ruth Nyembezi.
It said the decision had been taken ”following recent developments in the management of the KwaZulu-Natal department of health and her role as accounting officer and HOD [head of department]”.
The statement provided no further details.
The provincial director general, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa, said he ”can’t get into details” surrounding the suspension.
Disciplinary proceedings against Nyembezi would have to be started within 30 days, Mbanjwa said.
Nyembezi was initially asked to take voluntary leave midway through September pending the outcome of an investigation by consultants.
On October 5 Mbanjwa announced that investigations had been completed by the consultants and a report submitted to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele.
Last month the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that it had been alleged that tenders worth R5-million had been awarded to companies founded by Nyembezi.
There have also been reports that Nyembezi’s relationship with provincial minister of health Peggy Nkonyeni was poor, and the Mercury newspaper reported that the two had a ”frosty relationship”.
However, Mbanjwa on Wednesday said that while the claims would be investigated, it was not the reason that led to her suspension.
Attempts to contact Nyembezi were unsuccessful.
KwaZulu-Natal health department spokesman Leon Mbangwa could not be reached for comment. — Sapa