KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane hits back at corruption claims, calls allegations a 'smear campaign'
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KZN MEC of Health Nomagugu Simelane said she won't play politics with people's lives or allow personal attacks to derail the work of her department.
'I will not play politics with people's lives. I will not lower myself to the level of those who seek to destabilise, distract, and destroy,' she said in a statement addressing a series of allegations that have surfaced on social media, in the press, and on various platforms in recent weeks.
Simelane described the claims as part of a 'targeted campaign of misinformation' aimed at damaging her reputation and that of her family.
She said she had remained largely silent until now because she was focused on delivering the province's critical health budget, which she tabled on Tuesday.
IOL previously reported that the MK Party had called for Simelane's resignation, accusing her of corruption and alleging that her family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC, received duplicate payments worth R1.42 million from the provincial Agriculture Department.
The MK Party further claimed that her family continued receiving state financial support while she served as Health MEC, and linked her to a 2008 farm loan granted by Ithala Bank, allegations Simelane has dismissed as 'false and malicious.'
'Now that the budget has been delivered, and with it, real plans to strengthen our healthcare system, I want to take a moment to set the record straight and address the stories that are currently circulating,' she said.
Simelane defended her department's stance on hospital access following protests related to the treatment of undocumented foreign nationals. She said her duty is to uphold the Constitution, not to discriminate.
'Every person, regardless of their nationality, has the right to emergency medical care. Denying that would be illegal and inhumane,' she said.
She condemned protesters who blocked hospitals, calling the act unacceptable and dangerous.
'Peaceful protest is allowed, but blocking access to hospitals is not,' she said. 'That's why we worked to keep our facilities open and safe for patients.'
While she acknowledged that illegal immigration is a national issue, she insisted healthcare 'must never, ever be considered a privilege, but a fundamental right to be enjoyed equitably by all.'
Responding to allegations that she interfered with Vuma FM, leading to the removal of former broadcaster Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Simelane said:
'Let's be absolutely clear. I did not instruct or influence Vuma FM to fire Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. ''The station itself has confirmed that her contract expired as part of its internal HR processes,'' she said.
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She also dismissed claims of a voice recording allegedly implicating her, calling them 'false.'
'There is no such thing. I respect media freedom, but this freedom comes with responsibility to report fairly and accurately.'
Simelane said she had taken legal steps to stop the 'spread of lies' and to protect the integrity of her office.
Furthermore, Simelane also addressed accusations around her family's farm, saying the loan it received from Ithala Bank was issued in 2008, years before she held any influential role in agriculture.
'In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,' she said.
She emphasised that her family applied for agriculture support through legal departmental processes, with no influence from her.'
She maintained that the support her family farm received through the Department of Agriculture followed 'open and regulated processes' and that she had no influence in those decisions.
'These applications were approved – without any input or involvement whatsoever from me,' Simelane said.
'All procurement was managed through the department's own supply chain processes and chosen service providers.'
She said a full and detailed report has been submitted to the Premier.
On nepotism allegations, Simelane defended her siblings' qualifications and appointments. 'My sister was appointed to her position through a transparent process. I was not involved in any way. She earned her place,' she said.
She described claims of fake CVs as 'false and desperate,' adding that her family 'has taken advantage of one thing: education.'
Regarding her brother, she added: 'He is a finance professional with 15 years of experience and verifiable formal qualifications.'
'I do not do nepotism. I do service,' Simelane insisted.
'These personal attacks won't divert me from working in accordance with my mandate: to improve healthcare delivery for every person in this province,' she said.
'While the noise gets louder, so will my commitment to doing the work. Because that's what real leadership looks like.'
Simelane said she believes the flurry of allegations,surfacing around the same time, are politically motivated and part of a deliberate smear campaign.
'This past weekend saw an array of sensational rumours emerge online, blatantly designed to mislead the public and shake confidence in the work of my department,' she said. 'They are part of a calculated and mischievous smear campaign.'
Despite this, Simelane said she remains focused on delivering health services to the province and serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
'Leadership should never be determined by threats or intimidation, but by truth, service, and due process,' she said. 'I will not bow to those tactics.
''I will continue to do what I have done since 2004: serve, lead, and strive for a stronger, fairer, and more dignified healthcare system in KwaZulu-Natal.'
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
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