Eastern Cape health official arrested for transporting alcohol

The Eastern Cape department of health finds itself at the centre of yet another storm, this time a member of MEC Sindiswa Gomba’s staff has been accused of contravening the Disaster Management Act, after being allegedly caught transporting alcohol using a state-issued vehicle.

The accused is expected to appear before the King William’s Town Magistrate Court on Monday, 3 August 2020 to face charges.

While SAPS spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci could not confirm the identity of the staffer, she said they had acted on a tip-off.

“The SA Police Service can confirm that cases of contravening the regulations of Disaster Management Act, unauthorised driving of a state vehicle and attempted bribery of police members, are under investigation by King William’s Town police following the arrest of a 33-year-old on Saturday at about 16:15”, Soci said in a statement.

The person was allegedly stopped while trying to run from police.

“Police received information about a state vehicle allegedly transporting liquor.

During the police patrols, a vehicle fitting the description was spotted at Buffalo Road, but the driver accelerated when members tried to stop him.

Police gave chase and managed to stop him. Upon searching the vehicle, liquor was recovered in the boot. The suspect, who was alone in the vehicle, was immediately arrested and charged. He will appear at the King William’s Town Magistrate Court on Monday,” said Soci.

Gomba: ‘There will be serious consequences’

Gomba’s office has responded to the staff member’s arrest and promised that tough action would be taken.

“Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba has learnt with shock how one of her core staff members took the department’s car without authorisation and allegedly broke the law by allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol”, her office’s chief of staff Andile Sidinile said in a statement.

“The MEC would like to put it on record that such behaviour will not be tolerated and if proven to be true, there will be serious consequences”

Gomba said the staff member’s alleged crimes have no place in government and that the department will act accordingly.

“Such alleged behaviour does not only bring my office and the department into disrepute but, by extension, the entire provincial government and, as such, it is condemned with the contempt it deserves. We cannot have officials who break the law”, the MEC said.