Gauteng Health Department Refutes Claims On Nationality

Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) refutes claims from social media allegations questioning the nationality of senior management within the West Rand District Health Services.

In a statement released on Friday, the department confirmed that all four hospitals in the West Rand District are led by South African nationals, contradicting claims made by African Transformation Movement MP Vuyo Zungula.

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“We wish to clarify that the four hospitals in the West Rand District are led by South African nationals,” the department stated.

The department identified the leadership as follows:

Leratong Hospital – Dr Dieketseng Moloi

Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital – Dr Rodney Pheto

Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital – Mr Jimmy Mapunya

Carletonville Hospital – Mr Josias Naidoo

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Zungula alleged that South African doctors were being “sidelined and unemployed” due to the employment of foreign nationals in key management positions.

“This is the problem. The top three management of the hospitals in West Rand. There is not a single South African,” Zungula wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Also, the department addressed concerns regarding two medical specialists named in the post, stating that both Dr Egbert Wenegieme and Dr Nneka Jamie Ohanson are permanent residents of South Africa serving as highly qualified medical specialists and family physicians.

“They serve a critical role in clinical leadership and governance but are not involved in the administrative management of public hospitals within WRDHS,” the statement clarified.

Furthermore, the department confirmed that Thembokuhle Karigani, chief director of the West Rand District Health Services, is a South African national. While Karigani is married to a foreign national, the department stressed that this does not affect her citizenship or eligibility to serve in her current role.

Gauteng Department of Health expressed concern over the potential consequences of spreading misinformation and urged the public to verify facts before sharing unconfirmed claims.

“The GDoH remains committed to delivering quality healthcare services to the residents of the West Rand without the distractions caused by misinformation,” the statement read.

“We urge the public to be cautious of misinformation and to verify facts through credible sources before spreading unverified claims, as this might lead to harmful consequences against those in question.”

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However, the department emphasised the importance of responsible information-sharing to prevent unnecessary panic and reputational damage.

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