Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have made an urgent call on Premier S'bu Ndebele, pictured, to suspend health MEC Neliswa Nkonyeni.

The embattled department is the subject of a Scorpions investigation after alleged mismanagement, fraud and corruption in which certain senior staff members, including former head Busi Nyembezi, who has resigned, had been involved.

IFP leader Lionel Mtshali said Ndebele should suspend Nkonyeni since she is also being investigated by the Scorpions.

"Mismanagement, corruption and fraud have reached a new high," Mtshali said.

"So far we have only seen the Scorpions tackle the HOD. Fraud has clearly become endemic in this administration.

"Ndebele's HODs leave his government in unprecedented numbers, often amid shady circumstances."

Margret Ambler-Moor of the DA also said Ndebele should act on Nkonyeni since she is being investigated.

A source told Sowetan that when the Scorpions raided the health office, they came with Nyembezi's former secretary, who opened the office for them.