Employee personal belongings confiscated at Northdale Hospital

AN investigation is underway at Northdale Hospital following allegations of racism and discrimination against an

operational manager.

It is alleged that hospital CEO Buhle Maphanga and members of the executive committee forced a manager to empty her box of personal belongings, which included a statue of Hindu deity Lord Muruga, a framed photograph of Sai Baba, money and incense sticks, and confiscated the items.

Several hospital staffers said Maphanga allegedly poked the statue with a pen and called it voodoo.

She then allegedly instructed the security guard to take photographs of the items before placing them in plastic bags.

The incident occurred on Tuesday last week at the hospital and has since resulted in an outcry from hospital staff, the community, and the Department itself.

One of the senior staff members said the manager was left disturbed and weeping in her office.

President of Midlands Hindu Society, V RANJIV NIRGHIN, said there should be more sensitivity when dealing with the religious beliefs of all employees.

Provoncial Department of Health spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi, said in a statement that the matter would be fully investigated.

Mkhwanazi said if any individual is found guilty of contravening another’s constitutional rights, they will be subjected to the most appropriate sanction allowed by law.

He said the department fully upheld the rights of all citizens to follow and practise any religion of their choice, given that it does not interfere with operations in the workplace.

Chairperson for the health portfolio committee at KZN Legislature, Yusuf Bhamjee, also intervened in the matter.