Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The Free State Department of Health continues to find itself in the spotlight, with Zongezile Adam Zumane once again taking centre stage.
This time, two employees — a female staff member terminated for alleged absconding and a male employee dismissed for alleged cash theft in July and August 2025 respectively — appear to have been treated differently while their appeals await the attention of MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi.
In the first case, staff nurse Pamela Tale was terminated at Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital in July, only a few days after Zumane began his controversial tenure.
According to the termination letter in our possession, Tale was dismissed on 9 June 2025, at a time when Dr Mbulelo Diba was still serving as acting Chief Executive Officer.
However, Diba did not sign the termination letter. Why?
Zumane reportedly finalized the termination on 30 July 2025, shortly after assuming office.
The matter was subsequently referred to MEC Mahlatsi’s office in October 2025. To date, five months later, no decision has been communicated, leaving Tale without employment and at home.
RS Tefo, the NEHAWU representative at Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital, confirmed that submissions were made to Mahlatsi’s office.
“I submitted the written representation to the MEC’s PA on 21 October 2025.
The matter only came to the attention of the union in September 2025, after Mme Tale did not receive her salary,” said Tefo.
STEPUPSANEWS can confirm Tale sent her medical letters to the hospital and also sent to the office of MEC Mahlatsi and the department failed to follow due processes to ensure she was absconding. No letters were sent nor her home visited u til after she met Zumane.
To think Department of Health is led by a unionist who fails to prioritise workers is shocking.
Daniel Mokoena
In contrast, Daniel Mokoena, a State Accountant who was dismissed on 27 August 2025 for alleged cash theft, continues to report for duty and receive his salary while waiting for Mahlatsi’s office to finalise his appeal.
Meanwhile, Mokapi Mokhachane, the office manager tasked with processing appeals in the MEC’s office, had not responded to questions sent to him at the time of publication.
The matter remains under scrutiny and we will continue to follow developments.
With President Cyril Ramaphosa visiting Free State later this month, our team will confront him and ask him if this is what his government must be remembered for.
Support Independent Journalism
Stories like this matter. Accountability matters. Truth matters.
If you believe in fearless, independent reporting that holds power to account, help us keep going.
Your contribution, even as little as R10 makes a difference.
Choane Group (Pty) Ltd
FNB: 63110371703
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp: 068 507 6731
Independent. Unbought. Unfiltered.
1 thought on “Health MEC embroiled in hypocrisy and double standards”