A statement by a provincial health authority seemed to suggest that “embarking on an unprotected strike” is among the “fraudulent activities” it will not tolerate its staff getting involved in.

“The Gauteng Department of Health has yet again showed a zero tolerance to incidents of fraud and corruption by dismissing 45 staff members who were found to be involved in fraudulent activities‚” the statement on Wednesday said.

It then broke down the misdoings of the fired employees who had been working in “healthcare facilities around the province”:

- 35 for embarking on an unprotected strike;

- eight for cases of misconduct‚ fraud and corruption (use of government stamps to validate fraudulent birth certificates; fraud and corruption involving usage of government car without authorisation and dereliction of duty; presenting fraudulent medical certificates on two different occasions; absence without leave; refusal to carry out duties to transport a patient from one facility to the other; aggressive behaviour and failure to take cognisance of management; deliberate offence against staff and patients; failure to rotate in the workplace as per instructions by management and failure to show regard for patients); and

 - two cases of theft (money and MVA files).

 “The Department will not tolerate any employee involved in any corrupt activity‚” said Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

 “As public servants we have a duty to always promote the culture of honesty and good governance while discharging our functions. We will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against anyone suspected of being involved in fraud and corrupt activities.”