Just over a week since the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that they've irregularly paid R3.9 million to seven Cuban doctors, the department says it has recovered over R1 million of the amount. MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said last week that the department paid the doctors who were in the country to help with Covid-19 in 2021 their salaries for months even after they had left.

SLOWLY BUT SURELY 

Nkomo-Ralehoko explained that the due processes were not followed at the time. "We have successfully recovered an amount of R1.2 million from the seven Cuban doctors who were brought in during Covid-19, whose contracts expired in May 2022. There was an overpayment that was done as a result of extending the contracts of those healthcare workers without following the required process," she said.

INVESTIGATIONS WERE DONE 

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the irregular payments were investigated and arrangements for reimbursements were done in Cuba. "It was as a result of the contracts that were extended. So, they were extended unlawfully. Somebody made a mistake. It can be a crime indeed, but investigations have been conducted, so we'll definitely act on that." The doctors were part of a group of 28 Cuban doctors hired for a one-year contract in South Africa to assist at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their contracts ended in May 2021, and the doctors left the country to return to Cuba but seven continued receiving salaries until May 2022.