Dr Sibongile Zungu has been announced as the new acting superintendent-general for the department of health in the Eastern Cape. News24 reports that Zungu is the former clinic advisor to Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, and was sent to the Eastern Cape to head the COVID-19 coronavirus project management unit, which was meant to assist the provincial health department with intervention efforts.
Her appointment as acting Eastern Cape Health head of department (HOD) comes after the resignation of Dr Thobile Mbengashe.
The report says Zungu formerly headed up the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department, where allegations of corruption and mismanagement were levelled against her by the National Health and Allied Workersʼ Union.
Jane Cowley, Democratic Alliance spokesperson on health, said she was disappointed at Zunguʼs appointment. “I think it is disappointing. (President Cyril Ramaphosa) made it very clear that people who are under investigation by the Hawks or any other investigating unit should do the right thing and step aside while the investigation is under way.
“This was an opportune time to put somebody in place who has the credentials, maturity and ability to lead the department out of the trouble it finds itself in. I think itʼs a lost opportunity for the health department,” she said.
[link url="https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/sibongile-zungu-appointed-acting-head-of-ec-health-despite-corruption-cloud-20200929"]Full News24 report[/link]