SIX security companies have been fired by the KwaZulu-Natal department of health following allegations of fraud, an official said yesterday.
"We have advised them that we will pay them for the month's notice," KwaZulu-Natal health department security manager Madoda Mpinda said.
"We are serious about improving the safety and security of our patients, staff and property of government," he said.
Over the weekend the Mvimbeni, Madlula, Titan, Labalela, Mahona and Gcinemfa security companies were given letters telling them to vacate the sites where they work within 24 hours.
The security companies provided security services at clinics and hospitals in the province.
KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo's spokesman, Chris Maxon, said a departmental investigation had revealed a number of alleged transgressions.
These included claims made for work not done, provision of under-qualified personnel, use of unlicensed firearms, and fraud.
Maxon said the department's concerns about safety and security at its hospitals and clinics were sparked when a decomposing body was found in the toilets of a lecture theatre at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in eThekwini.
A number of other security problems had occurred in a number of hospitals and clinics.
"For example, at Ngwelezane Hospital in Empangeni seven computers were stolen, a patient disappeared and was later found dead in the hospital grounds," Maxon said.
"Other security companies have been appointed to replace the security companies at all the sites," he said.
The department would continue to investigate the operation of private security companies working for the department.
6 security firms fired for fraud
SIX security companies have been fired by the KwaZulu-Natal department of health following allegations of fraud, an official said yesterday.
"We have advised them that we will pay them for the month's notice," KwaZulu-Natal health department security manager Madoda Mpinda said.
"We are serious about improving the safety and security of our patients, staff and property of government," he said.
Over the weekend the Mvimbeni, Madlula, Titan, Labalela, Mahona and Gcinemfa security companies were given letters telling them to vacate the sites where they work within 24 hours.
The security companies provided security services at clinics and hospitals in the province.
KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo's spokesman, Chris Maxon, said a departmental investigation had revealed a number of alleged transgressions.
These included claims made for work not done, provision of under-qualified personnel, use of unlicensed firearms, and fraud.
Maxon said the department's concerns about safety and security at its hospitals and clinics were sparked when a decomposing body was found in the toilets of a lecture theatre at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in eThekwini.
A number of other security problems had occurred in a number of hospitals and clinics.
"For example, at Ngwelezane Hospital in Empangeni seven computers were stolen, a patient disappeared and was later found dead in the hospital grounds," Maxon said.
"Other security companies have been appointed to replace the security companies at all the sites," he said.
The department would continue to investigate the operation of private security companies working for the department.
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