Embattled KwaZulu-Natal health boss Dr Busi Nyembezi received notice of her suspension on Monday, nearly a week after learning of it through media reports.
Speaking on Monday afternoon, Nyembezi said: ”I have just received it now … about two minutes ago.”
Nyembezi’s suspension was announced last week Wednesday by KwaZulu-Natal provincial director general Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa in a brief statement.
In the statement, the KwaZulu-Natal premier’s office said ”cabinet endorsed the decision to suspend” Nyembezi, the superintendent general of the department.
It said the decision had been taken ”following recent developments in the management of the KwaZulu-Natal department of health and her [Nyembezi’s] role as accounting officer and HOD [head of department]”. The statement provided no further details.
Mbanjwa said he could not ”get into details” of the suspension. Disciplinary proceedings against Nyembezi would have to be started within 30 days, he 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 S’bu 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 health minister Peggy Nkonyeni was poor, with the Mercury newspaper reporting that the two had a ”frosty relationship”.
However, Mbanjwa on Wednesday said that while the claims surrounding the tenders would be investigated, it was not the issue that led to the suspension.
Nyembezi said she did not want to comment further on her suspension. She would ”be consulting with my legal advisers”. — Sapa