Press Statement by Bosman Grobler: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Health: Mpumalanga Legislature
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga calls on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to intervene and hold the Provincial Government responsible This is after it was revealed that the ANC-led Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) has paid a combined annual salary of R2.1 million to three researchers last year, yet they did not submit any research document.
According to recent responses to the Portfolio Committee on Health, the Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) revealed that they have a three staff research unit with a budget allocation of R2 692 000, of which R2 100 000 is for salaries and 592 000 for goods and services.
When asked what research project or studies have been undertaken by the department’s research unit in the 2025/2026 financial year, they responded by saying “No research studies were conducted during the 2025/2026 financial year”.
This literally means that the DoH’s three staff members were paid R2.1 million in the last financial year for doing nothing.
This is unacceptable, especially with outbreaks of the coronavirus, monkeypox, as well as the recent Hantavirus. The department should be on top of its research to ensure that the province is responsive to potential outbreaks and protects not only its citizens, but its medical personnel too.
In their response to the Portfolio Committee, the DoH mentioned that the research unit’s key roles include monitoring ongoing research projects and ensuring submission of progress and final reports, among others.
According to the DoH responses, it means that the research unit has failed in all the following eight core roles and responsibilities in the 2025/2025 financial year:
Facilitating health research conducted in the province and within the department;
Manage research approval in line with policies and ethics;
Ensuring compliance with research governance framework;
Promote priority driven research;
Facilitate collaboration with academic institutions;
Monitor ongoing research projects;
Promote the utilisation of research findings to strengthen service delivery,
Building research capacity through training;
The department told the Portfolio Committee that their research unit has planned two research studies for the current financial year of 2026/2027, as part of their ongoing efforts to generate evidence and strengthen service delivery.
It is completely unacceptable to expect taxpayers, who are already financial strained by the cost of living, to pay the salaries of public servants who are doing nothing. It is wasteful and fruitless expenditure. So, the DA wants the PSC to intervene and investigate this matter. We believe that there is a case to answer here.
The Public Service Commission Act, 1997 was enacted to provide for the regulation of PSC matters connected with ensuring oversight and improvement of public administration in both national and provincial government spheres.