Byline: Levhuwani Matumba
18 May 2022
The Mpumalanga Department of Health has issued a media statement regarding the arrest of a Security Officer who allegedly stole medicine and medical supplies in two health facilities at Embalenhle.
According to the statement, on Tuesday the 17th of May 2022, the Mpumalanga Health Department received a call from the SAPS informing them about the arrest.
The arrested female security guard is based in Langverwact clinic at Embalenhle.
It is alleged that the Police went to search her house and found various items of medicine and medical supplies.
The Department officials were called to the scene to verify whether the items found belonged to the Health Department.
“The security guard has since confessed that she is the one who stole the medical items.
She indicated that she took it herself from Embalenhle CHC and Langverwact clinic.
Forensic police took everything as evidence and she has since been arrested,” said Mr Dumisani Malamule who is the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Health Department.
MEC for Health, Ms Sasekani Manzini, said the role of SAPS on this matter is overwhelming.
“We give the SAPS a round of applause for the successful arrest of the Security Officer.
Our people are always complaining that there is a shortage of medicine in our facilities, little did we know it is sometimes due to such theft.
We hope the Security Officer will be successfully prosecuted.
This must also send a warning to others who are doing the same. We cannot allow such criminal acts to take place in the Department as it compromises health service delivery”.
She further called for more investigations into the theft of medicine in health facilities as she believes that such criminal activities could possibly be taking place in other facilities as well.
