By REGINALD KANYANE
North West Department of Health has appointed Obakeng Mongale as its new Head of Department (HoD). This was announced by North West Department of Health MEC, Madoda Sabatha yesterday.
The Head of Department position was left vacant after the dismissal of the former Head of Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala who was accused of fraud and corruption. Embattled Lekalakala allegedly signed and pre-paid the Mediosa Company more than R30m.
Lekalakala was dismissed in 2018 by the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro. Mokgoro’ spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi said: “Mokgoro has considered the final verdict post the disciplinary hearing of Lekalakala. The outcome which follows the disciplinary hearing that has been ongoing since 2018, dictates that Lekalakala is guilty on five charges against him.
“He faced allegations of gross misconduct and in the light of the verdict presented before the Premier by the Presiding Officer. The Premier has taken a decision to dismiss Lekalakala from employment.”
The dismissal was effected on 13 January 2020.
The departmental administrator, Jeanette Hunter said: “Filling this position has been one of the critical milestones that we just achieved. I believe that Mongale has what it takes to lead this huge department in the area of administration. From now on, I will have some time to do proper handover for the period left until the end of Section 100 1b.”
Meanwhile North West MEC for Health department, Madoda Sambatha has called on the management and the entire staff complement of the department to support the new HOD.
“A lot of groundwork to reassert the department’s credibility and ability to deliver quality health services has been achieved under Ms Hunter’s leadership. This has laid a solid foundation for the new HOD.
“The new HOD has a vast experience at the executive level has been a HOD of other departments before. He also has in-depth knowledge of the department of health both in the branch and the support functions,” Sambatha said.
He further said nonetheless, Mongale will still need the support of all of the management and employees of the department, if he is to make a great success of this challenging position.
The Guardian 