Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – The Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) has once again proven that talk is cheap, as Zongezile Adam Zumane remains the Chief Executive Officer of Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital in Ladybrand.
On Monday, 23 February 2025, FSPG released a media statement stating:
“Mr Zumane has been directed to perform other functions with immediate effect, in terms of Regulation 63 of the Public Service Regulations, to allow for a detailed investigation to be conducted.”
Two days later, on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, Director-General Dr Solomon Phera told Newszroom Africa that Zumane had been shifted to a non-managerial position.
WATCH
On Friday, 27 February 2026, Dr Phera reiterated the same position on Lesedi FM during an interview with Mantsheuwa “Tse Bobebe” Mofokeng, confirming that Zumane had been moved.
“We have moved him for a period of a year.”
When asked what message the appointment sent to hardworking public servants, Phera conceded that it sent the wrong message.
“Of course this does not send a good a message to the society and government employees that’s why we are correcting this.”
However, STEPUPSANEWS can confirm that, as things stand, Zumane is still the CEO, seven days after FSPG stated he had been directed to perform other functions “with immediate effect,” meaning without delay.
All eyes are on Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Free State Premoer, Joyce “ Pretenders” Mathae and MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi.
Unless, of course, “immediate” has adopted the now-infamous flexible interpretation previously advanced by Senzo Mchunu, who once suggested that “immediately” does not necessarily mean now.
Sources at the hospital say Zumane remains in charge and no acting CEO has been introduced.
Zumane was appointed in July 2025. Two weeks ago, STEPUPSANEWS published the story that would become the straw that broke the camel’s back.
What followed was a media tsunami, with various outlets picking up and amplifying the story.
To date, the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the Free State and organised labour unions have not issued any statements.
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
While government employees are often instructed to carry out questionable directives, politicians frequently perform U-turns when scrutiny intensifies, claiming they “didn’t sign anything.” At least Fikizolo at Health reportedly recorded what the former Health MEC instructed him to do.
STEPUPSANEWS has reliably learned that both the 2019 and 2025 appointments bear clear fingerprints of political influence.
The 2025 scribe has since went in retirement with 27 February 2026, her last day in office.
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