Bokone Bophirima Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, said he was disappointed that Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, made conclusions about the controversial Mediosa mobile clinic contract without even discussing the matter with him.

The Premier was reacting to Motsoaledi’s visit to Madibogo to one of the mobile clinics provided by Mediosa, where the Minister made calls in the media for Head of Department of Health, Dr Thabo Lekalakala to be fired. In his widely publicized media interviews, Motsoaledi also said the mobile clinic services provided by Mediosa were not needed in Bokone Bophirima.

In a statement issued by Office of the Premier following Motsoaledi’s utterances, Mahumapelo said: “Unfortunately the Minister came to the province without the courtesy to inform us as part of Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act. Had the Minister cared to talk to us, we will have not stopped him from doing whatever he wants to, but we would have appraised him on progress we are making on this matter”.

The Premier said it was wrong for Motsoaledi to conclude that he – the Premier – would even think of protecting HOD Lekalakala. Mahumapelo announced over a week ago already that his office was instituting a forensic audit into alleged irregularities with the Mediosa contract, including that the health department made an advance payment of R30-million to the company before it started work in the province. The Minister also said he regarded the R30m upfront payment as fraud, a comment Mahumapelo said was too premature considering that an investigation is still underway. Other allegations are that Mediosa is a front company for the controversial, wealthy Gupta family.

On Friday an irritated Mahumapelo said: “Because he [Motsoaledi] chose the populist approach, we will rather speak to the President in this regard and the Head Office of the ANC, Luthuli House.”

During his visit to Madibogo – with a large media contingent tagging along – Motsoaledi said he was there in an effort to understand what is going on in the health services in the province.

“I saw pictures of Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) interrogating the Head of Department (HoD), Dr Thabo Lekalakala. We also received report from media that certain services can no longer be provided because there is no money. There are workers who are on strike because they cannot be paid bonuses due to lack of money,” he said.

Motsoaledi said he characterizes Medioa as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card for the Gupta family to withdraw money from the health department. He added that if the Premier did not fire Lekalakala, he would force the matter through the courts.

“Our health system is in disastrous and overburden situation because of its tight budget. Our health facilities are congested because of the explosion of chronic diseases. The department needs to save each and every cent. We do not have any spare money to do what has been done here. So, whoever entered into this contract must find a way to terminate it.

“South Africa does not need these services because our own healthcare centres are offering them. Mediosa screens people and refer them back to state hospitals if they are sick. The private healthcare centres can charge much lesser than what Mediosa is charging the department,” Motsoaledi said.

On the sidelines of Motsoaledi’s visit, a small group of workers was protesting, saying Mediosa has not paid their salaries.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za

Distress and anxiety has struck at e.tv and eNCA studios with some staff reportedly leaving the channels amid allegations of “constructed retrenchments”.

Employees at the studios have told The Star that eMedia Investments, which owns the channels, has been unfair to them by formulating retrenchments “fronted as reconstruction”.

“People are being exploited here. The team I’ve worked with for the past three years was told yesterday that they will not be needed by end of March but they are employed as permanent staff. The same was done at archives and IT departments. Reporters at eNCA are in distress. It’s a mess,” said an e.tv programme anchor.

The Star has also been told that some employees have already started packing while others have not reported for work since the new changes were communicated.

These new developments follow the sudden resignations of the head of current affairs Debbie Meyer and the news channel court reporter last month. It’s believed that Meyer’s exit was sealed as part of a retrenchment deal but she has publicly rejected this.

hese new developments follow the sudden resignations of the head of current affairs Debbie Meyer and the news channel court reporter last month. It’s believed that Meyer’s exit was sealed as part of a retrenchment deal but she has publicly rejected this.

Mark Rosin, chief operating officer of eMedia Investments, said that they were considering making changes that would benefit the business. “At times in the life cycle of a business, it is necessary to look at a company’s needs and requirements. eMedia Investments is currently considering its structure and making necessary changes to ensure it continues to be a profitable and strong business,” said Rosin.

However, he was cagey and did not want to explain how these changes would impact on staff or programming.

“This is an internal matter between the Company and employees and we will not discuss or debate it in the media. eMedia Investments is committed to ensuring that employees are treated fairly and respectfully during this process, which is of course difficult for everyone,” said Rosin.