Public servants’ arrogance worrisome: Analyst

 Political analyst, Lesego More, says the calibre of South Africa’s public servants that wants to be praised for doing the bare minimum is a cause for concern.

 

He says political heads have the responsibility to account to the public and to do so respectfully.

 

More was reacting to the heated TV interview between the Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and eNCA news anchor, Masego Rahlaga.

 

The MEC lost her cool when she was quizzed about a recent exclusive story that was reported by senior eNCA journalist, Slindelo Masikane, where a woman was captured on video crawling due to the shortage of wheelchairs at the Chirs Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Nkomo-Ralehoko accused the media of resurfacing old videos that exposed the decay at the country’s hospitals and refused to respond to the particular issue at hand.

 

I take my job very seriously MEC. One thing I’m not is unethical. I took this video on the 10th of September 2024.

I have the receipts…… https://t.co/TxUATEMBVV

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) September 20, 2024

 

 

More says there is no justification for the MEC to act in the manner that she did.

 

He says speaking to journalists is a public duty that comes with heading a crucial department and being in government.

 

“Political heads think they can talk down on anyone as they do to with their political appointees and employees. A politician that does not understand her mandate as a public servant, who thinks being in that position is doing the public a favour should be condemned,” adds the political fundi.

 

The incident comes a few weeks after former broadcaster, Tom London, exposed alleged rot at the Helen Joseph Hospital and infrastructural damage.

 

While he acknowledged that he received good clinical treatment throughout his stay, he lamented the value system of the doctors at the facilities.

 

He accused them of sitting on their cellphones, bragging about their lavish lifestyles while patients were left to suffer.

 

The MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko apologised to London following the incident.

Some public members have taken to social media to express their frustration with the MEC’s conduct, with some labelling her as arrogant.

 

The arrogance and delusions of grandeur of this pathetic MEC represent everything that is wrong with our public SERVANTS! She’s unemployable outside of government structures, period. pic.twitter.com/vDG6mTkgk6

— Grant Gee ⚙️ (@MrGrunt101) September 20, 2024

@eNCA @GautengHealth @ChrisExcel102 come this side Yoh! This MEC is useless sorry Masego you didn’t ask anything wrong she just has negative energy towards you don’t let her ruin your morning, she’s defending herself because she’s not doing her job 😡 pic.twitter.com/nMrjGqvlFJ

— SimpleMinded (@absolutepearle) September 20, 2024