DA questions appointment of health boss

eTHEKWINI council speaker, Logie Naidoo's decision not to allow the DA to raise questions over the investigation into the appointment of Dr Nomakhosi Gxagxisa, head of the city's health department, has councillors claiming he is preventing them from carrying out the oversight role the Municipal Structures Act mandates councillors to do.

This comes after many question were left unanswered regarding the investigation into Dr Nomakhosi Gxagxisa. Gxagxisa was suspended on 18 September 2013 after serious allegations were made regarding her qualifications and irregularities in her department. The investigation was as a result of considerable pressure put on the city by labour unions. Dr Gxagxisa was also fined by the HSPCA who found she was not registered as required by law.

“Dr Gxagxisa’s time at the helm has been a jump from one crisis to the other. In 2010 it was found that through nepotism, her son had gained employment in her department after she lowered the employment requirements. When he was dismissed, based on this, he still received a R47 000 pay out from the city. In 2011, Gxagxisa was found guilty of misconduct by the HSPCA but failed to pay her fine. It is also clear that she lied to the city at the time of employment, as she was not registered with the HSPCA , a requirement for her post,” said councillor Martin Meyer.

Meyer said the DA had been calling for an investigation into her appointment while she was under suspension from her previous post. In March the DA renewed its call for her suspension after the controversy surrounding her registration was brought to light.

“At the beginning of 2014 the DA learned that she was back in her post. The findings of the investigation were however never released to the Community and Emergency Services Committee, EXCO, or the full council. Dr Gumede from the committee also did not respond to queries regarding this matter,” said Meyer.

He said the DA then decided to put forward a question in terms of Section 17 at a sitting of full council on 29 August.

The Speaker however decided not to allow the question as it pertained to personnel matters.

“The Constitution states in Section 153 that a municipality must structure and manage the administration of the city, and this is where the council’s oversight role comes in. The head of Health is a public servant who has the vital responsibility to oversee the provision of basic health services to the residents of eThekwini. It is thus perfectly within the powers of council to ask for feedback regarding the investigation into Dr Gxagxisa. It is the responsibility of the council to ensure residents get the best possible service and that the people employed by the city to deliver this services is qualified to do so,” said Meyer.

The Democratic Alliance has called on the Speaker to review his decision.