Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health's new Chief Financial Officer, Khothamani Vilakazi, said he was ready for the task ahead of him.
He takes over from Phumelele Shezi, who had been acting in the position which had not been filled for a lengthy period.
In 2017 already, the department had been without a CFO for two years.
On Friday, KZN Health Department introduced its new chief financial officer while broadcasting from Bergville during its weekly live broadcast KZN HealthChat.
Head of Department Dr Sandile Tshabalala said that after not having a CFO for a long time, the department was happy to finally fill the position.
Born in Bergville, Vilakazi said he went to school in Madadeni and completed his tertiary at the University of Zululand, Ongoye.
The chartered accountant, a registered auditor with an MBL, explained that he was not done as he was still furthering his studies.
He also runs the Comrades Marathon and has completed other ultra marathons.
He said while joining and working for the department was a huge challenge, he was ready to face these challenges head-on.
“I’m ready because I am a person who likes challenges to see what kind of positive contribution I can make to the department. I’d like to thank management and my colleagues for the support thus far.”
The last CFO, permanently in the position and not acting, at the department in 2015 was Brian Ndoda Biyela, who had previously been CFO at the Gauteng Department of Health.
He had left the Gauteng Department of Health under a dark cloud after having been suspended for alleged tender irregularities when he was appointed by then-HOD Dr Sibongile Zungu at KZN Health.
Biyela, not more than five months after his appointment, was recalled and set aside because it was procedurally irregular.
Before this, Mashaka Ravhura had been CFO. This was before being suspended by Zungu in 2014 after the MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo allegedly criticised him for not awarding a tender.
Zungu then dismissed Ravhura in January 2015, despite the disciplinary inquiry recommending that he be served with a final written warning.
Daily News