26 July 2010

The IFP has questioned the suitability of former rector of the University of Zululand Professor Rachel Gumbi for the post of manager of the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi.

“We cannot but question the suitability of a person with a dismal administrative record (at the University of Zululand) for the managing position at one of the largest medical facilities in the province,” said Leader of the Official Opposition in KZN and IFP KZN spokesperson on health Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi.

The IFP has drawn a parallel between Professor Gumbi’s posting at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and the tenure of Peggy Nkonyeni, who was a former teacher, as KZN MEC for Health during the last term of provincial government.

“The previous term of government was dominated by media headlines about mismanagement and incompetence in the Department of Health and much of this was attributed to the leadership of the then MEC,” said Dr Buthelezi. 

The IFP recalls that Professor Gumbi’s name appeared in the media earlier this month in connection with an urgent tender for an overnight clean-up of the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital ahead of the visit by MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

Contact: Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi, 082 516 0156