LADYBRAND – The Free State Premier, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, has confirmed that an investigation was imminent into the appointment of convicted fraudster Zongezile Adam Zumane as the chief executive officer (CEO) at the Senoria Ntlabathi District Hospital in Ladybrand. The former Mangaung Metro council speaker’s appointment to another public entity, despite his criminal status, caused outrage after this was made public in media reports.
In a statement issued on 23 February, Matshediso Setai, spokesperson for the Free State government, addressed Zumane’s controversial appointment to a key position, stating it had occurred before Letsoha-Mathae’s tenure. She pointed out that Zumane had been subsequently directed to perform other functions with immediate effect, explaining the decision was aligned with an investigation in terms of Regulation 63 of the Public Service Regulations.
Setai stated Zumane had been appointed on 1 April 2019 as a clinical programme coordinator at the Winburg District Hospital after disclosing his previous criminal record. He was appointed as CEO in June last year.
Setai clarified Letsoha-Mathae’s stance regarding the appointment.
“In her role as the executive authority over the provincial administration, it is important to note that the premier is not responsible for the appointment of hospital CEOs. After decades of maladministration and rampant corruption that previously engulfed our province, it would be irresponsible for the premier to involve herself in the operational matters of departments,” said Setai, adding that Letsoha-Mathae had noted the concerns arising from Zumane’s appointment.
“However, while the premier acknowledges the concerns and respects the media freedom enshrined in our constitution, it is imperative that journalists report ethically and factually rather than attempt to create sensational headlines.
“Had the journalist undertaken thorough research, they would have established that she had not been involved in the said appointment,” said Setai, referring to an article titled “Premier defends fraudster appointment” published by Sunday World. It was published on 22 February.
According to Setai, the article contained factually incorrect claims.
Convicted in 2012, Zumane was sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment, but was released after serving three years at the Grootvlei Medium B Correctional Centre.
He had been found guilty of fraud and money laundering involving more than R5 million between 2000 and 2005. He was among the 11 accused.
A member of the ANC, Zumane holds a national diploma in nursing and graduated from the now-defunct Mangaung Nursing College of the Free State.
Zumane’s appointment has triggered backlash from opposing political parties in the province, with the DA and the EFF leading the charge.
“The premier may not be involved in appointments, but has a responsibility to investigate concerns regarding appointments as part of their monitoring, coordinating and oversight function over departments under their control. It appears that the premier, by attacking the media, is shooting the messenger while avoiding taking responsibility for the controversy in the provincial government,” said Roy Jankielsohn, DA provincial leader.
He said his party would raise the issue of Zumane’s appointment in the Legislature with the department and the MEC for Health.
According to the EFF, disclosure of a criminal record, even if it had been expunged, is not sufficient to justify the appointment of a convicted fraudster to a public entity, noting the importance of clean governance.
“This is a brazen act of political arrogance that exposes the moral decay of ANC governance in the Free State. The law governing public service appointments in South Africa requires strict compliance with principles of merit, suitability, integrity and thorough verification,” stated the EFF.
“Senior management appointments must undergo rigorous vetting, qualification verification and assessment of fitness to hold office.
“These are not optional procedures; they are safeguards designed to protect the public from precisely the type of recklessness we are witnessing.
“The position of a hospital CEO is critical for overseeing financial management, procurement and ultimately the quality of healthcare delivery.”
