(Photo: Facebook/Tembisa Hospital – TPTH)
The Gauteng Department of Health has denied that the then head of finance of Tembisa Hospital received a golden handshake worth millions of rand.
According to the department, Lerato Madyo was placed on precautionary suspension while various investigations regarding procurement matters at Tembisa Hospital were ongoing.
“In terms of labor legislation and public service regulations, an employee placed on precautionary suspension remains entitled to compensation pending the finalization of investigations and disciplinary processes,” said Kealeboga Mohajane, spokesperson for the department.
After the investigation into Madyo was completed, disciplinary proceedings were initiated.
“However, due to evidentiary law restrictions that affected the viability of the process, the department and Madyo entered into an agreement to terminate the employment relationship.
It is important to clarify that this agreement was concluded in accordance with applicable labor relations frameworks and was not a golden handshake.”
According to the department, the interim reports of the Special Investigation Unit’s (SUE) investigation into Tembisa hospital contracts did not list Madyo’s name along with other officials against whom disciplinary or criminal action was recommended.
The department’s statement comes after the DA claimed that Madyo was paid R3 million while she was suspended with pay for two years.
“Instead of concluding this investigation, which would likely have implicated others and led to criminal charges, she walked away with her pension and an undisclosed settlement amount.”
In October last year, the DA filed criminal charges against Madyo for violating the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Practices Act, the Criminal Procedure Act, and violations of the Public Financial Management Act.
“We demand that the agreement be made public, including how much she was paid.”
The SOE announced last year that an investigation showed that syndicates looted around R2 billion through corruption and fraud from the coffers of the Tembisa hospital.