Cash strapped health department blew R2.6 million for two officials to stay in a hotel for three years

The revelation of the almost R3m spent on accommodation costs for two senior health officials in Gqeberha has been met with anger among healthcare workers in Nelson Mandela Bay. The officials stayed in a hotel for three years which cost R2.6 million.

One frustrated healthcare worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “It is unacceptable that such a large amount of money was spent on accommodation when there are government-owned homes that could have been used. This money could have been better spent on improving healthcare services at the hospitals.”

Another worker added, “The Livingstone Tertiary Hospital complex has been struggling for years, and this wasteful expenditure only adds to the challenges we face. We need leadership that prioritizes the needs of the hospitals and the patients they serve.”

The leaked documents detailing the accommodation costs for former acting chief executive Dr Mtandeki Xamlashe and current acting director Andile Mnyaiza have brought the issue to the forefront.

Xamlashe has since moved on to a position in the provincial health department, while Mnyaiza continues in his role at the hospital.

The payments made for their accommodation, totaling over R2.6m, have raised questions about the financial management of the hospital complex.

With the hospitals already under strain due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are calling for accountability and transparency in how funds are allocated.

The Livingstone Tertiary Hospital cluster has a history of management challenges, dating back to 2018 when the CEO was placed on special leave following an illegal strike.

Since then, the hospital has struggled to retain senior managers, leading to a lack of stability in leadership.

In response to the outcry over the accommodation costs, the Eastern Cape health department has promised to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

However, healthcare workers are calling for more than just an investigation – they want to see real change in how funds are managed and allocated within the hospital complex.


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