KZN health MEC Simelane calls for urgent action against older men impregnating girls
Speaking at a meeting of the provincial council on Aids held in Durban, Simelane expressed deep concern about recent statistics showing thousands of teenage and child pregnancies in eThekwini municipality, including girls as young as 10.
'We are extremely worried about the high number of children who are falling pregnant,' said Simelane.
Her comments came in response to data shared during the Teenage Pregnancy Indaba hosted by the eThekwini municipality at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
The municipality revealed 7,627 cases of teenage pregnancy between April 2024 and April 2025. Even more alarming is that 154 of the pregnancies involved girls aged between 10 and 14.
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IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Investigations demanded against KZN MECs amid corruption claims
THE MEC of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Sipho Hlomuka whose department is embroiled in allegations of tender irregularities regarding the school nutrition programme THE MEC of Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomagugu Simelane, has distanced herself from allegations that she had a hand in the abrupt termination of Vuma FM presenter, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract. TRIBUNE REPORTER ACTIONSA has written to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, urging him to investigate Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka on various allegations levelled against them. The DA has also joined the fray and asked the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gqurube to take over the R2.9 billion National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The party also welcomed the commitment by KZN Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, to initiate a preliminary investigation following serious allegations of corruption implicating Hlomuka and several ANC-linked figures within the administration of the NSNP. Simelane is facing allegations of abuse of power and interfering in the abrupt termination of Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract. The allegations surfaced earlier this week, and KZN Health was swift in quelling the rumours, issuing a statement after hours on Monday distancing the MEC from the allegations, adding that as a woman she would never do such a thing against another woman. Ngobese-Zuma is the founder of the anti-illegal immigration movement, March and March, which has had a few brushes with the health department over the members of the movement blocking undocumented immigrants from accessing public healthcare facilities. ActionSA leader in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, said the premier shouldn't hide behind the deals of the government of provincial unity (GPU) to drag his feet at launching an investigation against the MECs. Hlomuka is embroiled in the school nutrition tender of his department, with his wife's company being one of the chosen bidders to supply food at various schools. "We are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding the serious allegations of irregularities, corruption, and abuse of power within the Department of Health and Education. These allegations undermine the public's trust in the provincial department and its commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency," reads ActionSA's letter. "Specifically the allegations against the MEC of Health regarding the abuse of power in relation to Vuma FM and the presenter Jacinta Ngobese, as well as the allegations of interference in the tender process for the nutrition programme by the MEC of Education, are grave and require immediate attention. "It is particularly concerning that you have remained silent on these matters, despite your previous rhetoric on issues such as illegal immigration. 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She said her department can't turn away sick people from their facilities regardless of their immigration status, as it would open floodgates of legal action against the department. Simelane explained their conundrum as the department on undocumented immigrants citing the example of turning away a TB patient and the ripple effect it would have on them travelling by taxis and infecting other passengers who in turn infect others. She said there are discussions underway at the national level on a plan to have the immigrants' countries of origin help South Africa fund their healthcare. The DA's spokesperson on education, Sakhile Mngadi, who's also a member of the provincial legislature, said, "In the event that the allegations prove true, MEC Sipho Hlomuka must be removed from office without delay. Corruption cannot be tolerated at the expense of hungry children and the future of our province." And businesses that operate under the NSNP have also complained about irregularities and favouritism in the bidding process. The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Muzi Mahlambi, said, "The process is underway and has not been finalised for anyone to cry foul." He said they have no knowledge of these allegations, and those bidders who feel aggrieved know the relevant platform where to report their allegations. The programme has always had challenges like budget constraints and payment delays to service providers. Yesterday the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, in a statement, welcomed Vuma FM's clarification on Ngobese-Zuma's contract and said this should put to bed the unfounded allegations against Simelane. On the issue of the nutrition tender, the ANC said, "The ANC understands that this process is at an appeal stage where those who have made bids and seek to appeal must forward their appeals to the Treasury Department. The ANC has full confidence that the provincial government has adequate capacity to handle appeals in a just and transparent manner."
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
KZN Health unveils plan to upgrade Vryheid District Hospital
A major upgrade is in the pipeline for Vryheid District Hospital, with KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane announcing that the facility will be upgraded to a regional hospital. The announcement was made on July 11 during the Isibhedlela Kubantu outreach programme, hosted at Cliffdale Sportsfield in Ward 23, Hlobane. The proposed upgrade aims to improve access to quality healthcare for rural communities, especially those burdened by poverty, long travel distances, and affordability challenges. MEC Simelane said the initiative forms part of the department's commitment to bringing healthcare services closer to the people and ensuring that no one is left behind due to geography or financial constraints. 'The upgrade of the Vryheid Hospital to a regional facility will result in the facility being equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and specialist services,' said MEC Simelane. The move will reduce the burden on the major hospitals such as Ngwelezane Hospital in Empangeni, Grey's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg and Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban. These are currently the only hospitals that offer specialist care for rural communities who have travel long distances to access care. 'It was historically wrong that people in rural areas had to travel for days just to see a medical specialist,' said MEC Simelane. 'It was unjust that only urban populations had access to top-tier medical equipment and clinical experts. We are changing that. Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to decent and dignified healthcare,' she said. MEC Simelane also assisted with the availability of a mobile clinic in the area, which will come into effect on Friday and every Friday continuously. The Isibhedlela Kubantu programme is a platform to deliver healthcare directly to communities and promote health education. ALSO READ: Hospital seeks public's help to locate family of unidentified patient The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
New R14 million CT scanner at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital promises faster patient care
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and officials admire the new 128-slice CT scanner at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital patients will receive faster and more efficient care now that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has procured a CT scanner worth approximately R14 million. On Thursday, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and several officials were at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital to unveil the R14m state-of-the-art CT scanner. Simelane expressed her excitement over the CT scan since the old scan, which had been problematic for more than two years, finally gave up in December last year. It was also difficult to get different parts because it was old. This forced the department to discontinue its use and procure a new machine. The old machine had 16 slices while the new one has 128 slices. 'That impacts the swift response to patients,' Simelane said. 'Allowing more patients to access it, allowing patients to get results as quickly as possible.' 'It is really going to be a game changer for this hospital, considering that this hospital sees over 1,500 patients a day. So you certainly need equipment that's going to allow the hospital to actually do the work in the most efficient way.' Councilor Zamazulu Sokhabase, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital board deputy Nompumelelo Sithole cutting the ribbon during the unveiling of a new CT scanner on Thursday. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Simelane said it was not a cheap machine. 'That is why, as a department, we couldn't just outright buy a new machine and replace the old one; we had to try and use it as far as we could.' She said last year, she received several complaints from patients saying they had been waiting for a CT scan at the hospital, and others said they were turned back because the machine was not working. 'As the healthcare fraternity, we are concerned about the sharp global increase in cancer cases — globally, across the African continent, in South Africa, and right here in KwaZulu-Natal,' Simelane said. 'The importance of early detection cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to cancer, which is a disease that spreads quickly. Every day counts. Early diagnosis leads to better treatment outcomes. This CT scanner enables quicker detection, faster treatment initiation, and ultimately, better survival rates, especially for cancer patients,' Simelane said. 'So this one is going to be a game changer, and the people who are utilising this facility are going to benefit immensely. 'This is the first for us in the province, and we are going to be rolling it out to other facilities in the rest of the province.' KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and officials admire the R14 million 128-slice CT scan at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Devon Harripersad, a sales representative for AXIM, which provides radiological and imaging solutions to Sub-Saharan Africa, said it is a 128-slice machine, meaning that per second, the machine is slicing, taking out X-rays of a patient. 'You can do a full body scan within seconds, which means that your time limit is reduced, the patient number is increased, and you can do many more studies in terms of this new machine,' Harripersad explained. 'This will help alleviate the backlog.' Harripersad said the machine can be used for cancer and orthopaedics, among others. He also explained that certain studies require them to inject a patient. It is like a dye, it differentiates all the organs from each other and all the tissues, from bone.
