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Premier of KwaZulu Natal Willies Mchunu has  condemned "in the strongest terms possible" the disruption last night of a meeting of the Department of Health, and called for a fresh commitment to resolving our challenges through peaceful and legal means.

Last night, 06 September 2018, Premier Mchunu was briefed about the disruption of a meeting of senior management of the KZN Department of Health and Provincial Treasury’s Intervention Team.

Representatives of a business forum stormed the meeting and instructed the Acting Head of Department Dr Musa Gumude to act on specific supply chain management processes.

Premier Mchunu remarked: “On the 27th June 2017, we announced a series of interventions aimed at strengthening the supply chain management in the Department of Health. This includes assigning a team of senior officials from the Provincial Treasury to work with management in the Department of Health in order to revamp the entire supply chain management and procurement functions.”

“To date, we have been receiving detailed updates on the work of the team, and we remain satisfied with the progress that has been achieved thus far. We can confirm that there is improvement in dealing with delays in the procurement of essential and urgent medical equipment including goods and services required to provide quality patient care in our public health institutions.”

“In addition, we continue to work with the office of the Auditor General to ensure adherence to best financial management practices in the Department of Health and across all government departments including municipalities.  Our main focus is the total reduction in unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and fraud and corruption in all of government.”

“We condemn the disruption of the work of the intervention task team.  Our position has always been very clear – where there are problems, let us engage and find solutions. Intimidation and violence will not resolve any of our economic challenges which are historical and often very complex.”

“Members of the Provincial Executive Council including myself as the Premier, commit to ongoing engagement with emerging entrepreneurs, business associations, business chambers, non-governmental organisations and organized labour. As part of his line function, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Leader of Government Business Sihle Zikalala has been engaging all the stakeholders regularly.”

“In spite of our open door policy, we undertake to maintain a firmer hand on lawlessness. We will ensure that those who undermine  and disrupt legitimate and legal programmes and projects of government are dealt with by the full force of the law.

"The first duty of a Premier and indeed all of government, is to uphold the Constituion which is the supreme law of the land.

"By the same token, we have a responsibility to all the citizens of this country and the residents of KwaZulu Natal, to protect their rights and assets including the right to work unhindered by forces acting outside of the law. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the storming last night of a meeting of the Department of Health, and all disruptions of government and private sector programmes and projects in our province," said Premier Mchunu.

Issued by the KwaZulu Natal Office of The Premier