Pretoria - Disgruntled staff at Kalafong Academic Hospital in Atteridgeville on Thursday celebrated the news that their CEO Dr Sello Matjila has been placed on special leave amid this week’s protest which demanded his axing.
The staff, which included nurses and general workers, have been protesting at the hospital from Wednesday against the "disrespectful" conduct of Matjila who they accused of maladministration and corruption.
Workers went on the rampage on Wednesday, emptying the dustbins, spilling and scattering rubbish on the stairs, including inside the CEO’s office.
Some staff members told the Pretoria News that the protest was due to a dispute over payments related to annual performance bonuses.
Staff at Kalafong Academic Hospital in Pretoria protest against corruption and maladministration allegedly perpetrated by their CEO Dr Sello Matjila. @kalafong_health #Hospital #Protest pic.twitter.com/L2nNRNyDQb
They accused Matjila of unfairly excluding a large number of workers from getting performance bonuses, saying the criteria used for selecting those qualifying for bonuses was never transparent and had not been explained to them.
The majority of the workers had already received letters that they didn’t qualify for bonuses.
Workers were also aggrieved that Matjila suspended three shop stewards for taking part in the recent public servants’ shutdown to reject the government’s 3% wage increase in Pretoria.
They called on the suspended trio to be reinstated with immediate effect.
During their gathering outside the hospital a representative from the Public Servants Association of South Africa broke the news that the Gauteng Health Department has decided to put Matjila on special leave.
The announcement was greeted with loud ululation from workers who also chanted and danced outside the hospital premises.
“Before his suspension he must automatically go on special leave. He can’t be fired before he is charged. We are now waiting for someone to act in his position,” the union representative identified only as Molefe said.
When approached for clarity on his announcement, Molefe declined to comment, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
He had earlier told workers that “immediately after they announce the name of the person for the acting position we are expecting that person to accede to the demands of the workers”.
He said that in terms of the agreement with the workers they should be paid performance bonuses on December 31, promising to take up the issue with the provincial department.
One of the union leaders said the media was not welcome at the protest. However, some workers said they appreciated the presence of the media and were happy their issues would be published.
Hospital spokesperson Given Makhuvele didn't respond to questions posed by the Pretoria News for comment.
Pretoria News