GAUTENG. – The Gauteng Department of Health has launched an investigation following allegations of extortion at the Germiston forensic pathology facility.
Steve Mabona, the departmental spokesperson, says the allegations came to light in a social media post by a member of the public. It is alleged that some officials are demanding payment to expedite post-mortem examinations. The department says it takes the allegations seriously and is investigating the complaints. The department has meanwhile emphasised that all forensic pathology services, including DNA analysis, post-mortem examinations and the storage of bodies, are provided free of charge. Members of the public who allege they were victims of extortion are requested to report it to the facility manager or the department's quality assurance unit.
The department has also emphasised that no form of corruption will be tolerated and that officials are expected to perform their duties ethically and with integrity.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
