MBOMBELA – The management of Rob Ferreira Hospital has been in the spotlight anew. Following a recent strike by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) at the hospital, sources close to the hospital have levelled allegations of disruption against the branch secretary, Mr Malaza Marondo.
One of them, who spoke to Lowvelder on condition of anonymity, said it had become very depressing to work at the hospital and that Malaza’s behaviour had left the person traumatised.
Malaza joined the Rob Ferreira branch of the union in 2011. The main complaint against him was that he didn’t follow proper procedures, instead escalating complaints against chief executives and intimidating them. Lowvelder reported in 2011 that the CEO and medical manager of the hospital at the time, Dr Savera Mohanji and Dr Gerhard Goosen, were physically removed from their offices by striking cleaners.
Shortly before her removal earlier this year, former acting CEO Dr Corné Ackermann was allegedly intimidated by Nehawu on more than one occasion into leaving her post, a fate that has allegedly also befallen the current acting CEO Dr Gladys Koete, since her appointment in August.
Last year Malaza allegedly also intimidated clerks of the national health department on a visit to the hospital, trying to break down a door of the office in which they had locked themselves for their own protection.
“He is a destabiliser,” the source said.
Upon querying Malaza, he threatened to lay charges of harassment against the reporter who was trying to obtain his side of the story. This newspaper has been sent from pillar to post for several weeks to hear what he has to say.
It was explained to him that his alleged destabilising influence on Rob Ferreira Hospital was very much in the public interest as it interfered with the effective administration of the public hospital.
Malaza responded, “Print these allegations. They are very correct. Go ahead, print them.” At the time of going to press he had not changed his stance.
