DA REFERS VEHICLE ABUSE TO PUBLIC PROTECTOR
I have today referred to the Public Protector the possible abuse of an emergency response vehicle by Dr Mandla Mazizi, the Acting Head of Gauteng Emergency Medical Services.
Dr Mazizi has been using a BMW 3201 Advanced Life Support vehicle since June last year ((registration number WZS 137 GP - photo below).
According to a written reply by the Gauteng Health Department to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, Dr Mazizi uses this vehicle "on the basis of being a Doctor and a Manager in Gauteng Emergency Services". Furthermore he "uses it to attend to some emergencies".
I am skeptical about this. I suspect it is a cover-up for Dr Mazizi's irregular use of this vehicle since it does not appear to be in line with policy on use of state vehicles nor treasury regulations.
Managers in the civil service receive a vehicle allowance as part of their salary, so they should not be using a state vehicle. Ordinarily, they would use their own vehicle and claim expenses according to an agreed formula.
I am therefore requesting the Public Protector to investigate this matter and take suitable action (see letter below).
This car is meant to be used full-time to save lives of people. I took a photograph of it in the basement of the building where Dr Mazizi works, which indicates that it is not being used for its intended purpose.
Gauteng emergency services are in a deplorable state that Dr Mazizi has done little to improve. He should be fired if it is found that he is using this car illegally.
LETTER TO PUBLIC PROTECTOR
From: Jack Bloom
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 8:54 AM
To: Public Protector
Subject: REFERRAL - POSSIBLE ABUSE OF STATE VEHICLE BY DR MANDLA MAZIZI
Advocate Thuli Madonsela
Public Protector
Dear Advocate Madonsela,
REFERRAL - POSSIBLE ABUSE OF STATE VEHICLE BY DR MANDLA MAZIZI
I wish to refer to you the possible abuse of an emergency services vehicle by Dr Mandla Mazizi, the acting Head of Gauteng Emergency Medical Services.
The vehicle is a BMW 320i (registration number WZS 137 GP) that is meant to be used for advanced life support.
I took a photograph of this vehicle on 12 November 2010 in the basement of the building in which Dr Mazizi works.
I asked questions about his use of the vehicle and received the enclosed official reply from the Gauteng Health Department. According to this reply, Dr Mazizi uses this vehicle "on the basis of being a Doctor and a Manager in Gauteng Emergency Services". Furthermore he "uses it to attend to some emergencies".
It is also claimed that a proper log book has been kept since June last year, but I suspect that this is not actually the case.
My understanding of the state transport policy and treasury regulations is that managers are not supposed to use a government vehicle as they already receive a vehicle allowance as part of their salary. The usual practice is that they use their own vehicles and claim expenses as per an agreed formula.
My request is that an investigation be conducted as to whether Dr Mazizi is indeed properly authorized to use this vehicle, including an inspection of the log book to ensure that this state resource has not been abused.
Furthermore, if the official reply that I have received is misleading, it needs to be ascertained why this has occurred and who is responsible for this.
Your attention to this matter is much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Bloom MPL
Member, Gauteng Legislature
Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, DA Gauteng health spokesman, January 17 2011
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