Alex Matlala

Limpopo's health and social development department is probing allegations of nepotism and abuse of power against Benny Moshobane, chief executive officer of Kgapane Hospital .

Phuti Seloba, the department's spokesman, confirmed yesterday that the department had received complaints against Moshobane. He said a committee had been set up to investigate the allegations.

In a memorandum, Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa's (Hospersa) vice-president, Godfrey Selematsela, said that tensions arose after Moshobane approved rotten meat for patients. Health inspectors who checked the meat confirmed it had gone off.

Selematsela said: "Moshobane used his power to force the hospital to accept the meat."

He said Moshobane mismanaged hospital finances for self-gain.

He allegedly awarded a tender to another catering company which did not meet specific requirements to cater for a special function at Kgapane Hospital

An investigation allegedly revealed that Moshobane's sister-in-law owned the company.

The memorandum also claims that Moshobane forced doctors to attend to his friends and members of his family before treating other patients.

Selematsela said: "This led to four doctors resigning and an optometrist taking a transfer to Elim Hospital."

Moshobane said the allegations were baseless.

He claimed to have fought nepotism and other irregularities since he was appointed two years ago.