Chronicle EditorHealth Reporter
A CONVICTED former Mpilo Central Hospital chief medical equipment technician is continuously visiting his former workplace despite an order that he should not have access to any departments until his appeal is finalised. Edgar Mdongo was convicted of fraud by a Bulawayo court in 2012 after he, together with a former buyer, inflated a quotation of R48 000 to read R248 000, prejudicing the medical institution of R200 000.
He was sentenced to five years imprisonment, three of which were suspended on condition that he restitutes the R200 000. He was granted bail by the High Court in 2013 pending appeal against both conviction and sentence, arguing that the element of prejudice was not proved in his case.
Sources at Mpilo claimed that Mdongo is still a prominent figure at the institution raising fears that he might interfere with State witnesses or obstruct the course of justice. It is also alleged that he has been accessing the equipment department and other departments.
Mpilo chief executive officer Mr Leonard Mabhande dismissed the allegations of interference saying, Mr Mdongo only visits the medical institution as a vendor. “As you know, he is no longer a staff member and therefore has no access to any department at the institution, but from what I hear, he comes to sell his wares such as perfumes for survival,” said Mr Mabhande.
However, in an internal memo to all heads of department last year, management expressed concern after Mdongo and his co-accused, Dumisani Sibanda, were reported to be accessing the hospital’s departments. “It has come to our knowledge and is a great audit concern that the two are still being observed frequenting the hospital and accessing departments.
“The discharged members should not be allowed to access departments as staff, except as visitors and for valid reasons. They should not access any computers and equipment. Any HOD (head of department), that allows them unnecessary access shall be charged with misconduct,” reads part of the memo that was leaked to The Herald.
In his appeal, Mdongo said the tender was won based on the lowest quotation but for the wrong specification of the equipment ordered. He said the correct equipment was subsequently quoted at R248 000, hence, he did not prejudice the institution. Of late, Mpilo Hospital has been mired in a number of scams ranging from corruption, misappropriation of funds and flouting of tenders.
Online Reporter