/ 9 December 2008

KZN health minister ‘to appear in court’

KZN health minister Peggy Nkonyeni is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, apparently over the disappearance of a hospital mammogram machine.

KwaZulu-Natal’s health minister Peggy Nkonyeni is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, apparently over the disappearance of a hospital mammogram machine, the provincial health department said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Chris Maxon confirmed that Nkonyeni would appear in court but said it was unknown what charges she faced or which court she would appear in.

”Once she appears in court, then we will know what the full charges are,” he told the South African Press Association (Sapa).

Sapa has learnt that she would appear in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court.

Maxon said it was understood the charges were related to a missing mammogram machine.

Leon Mbangwa, the department’s head of communication, said it was strongly believed that the move to charge Nkonyeni was ”a political ploy”.

”We are dismayed that the Scorpions have been sitting with this information for months and they only act now.”

In April this year, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Tlali Tlali told Sapa the province’s health department was being investigated and that a missing mammogram machine had been found in former head of department Busi Nyembezi’s office.

The machine, used to scan for breast cancer, was subsequently seized by the NPA and a case was opened with police.

Nyembezi was suspended amid allegations of fraud.

On Tuesday, Tlali Tlali was unable to confirm whether or not formal charges had been laid against Nkonyeni or provide any details.

Said Mbangwa: ”The MEC [provincial minister] is the political head of the department and has nothing to do with administration issues … only the accounting officer is responsible for all those activities.”

In a statement, the ANC said it was aware for some time that Nkonyeni was being investigated and that there was an ”intention to charge her”.

”The ANC will allow the law to take its course on the matter. MEC Nkonyeni however remains innocent until proven otherwise and will in the meantime continue carrying out her duties as MEC in government and within the organisation.” – Sapa