I am concerned that Gauteng Health MEC, Gwen Ramokgopa, is downplaying the effect of the removal of truckloads of furniture from her head office by the Sheriff of the court last week.
She claims that operations are continuing as normal, but staff are hampered in their work by the lack of computers, desks and chairs.
Important meetings have been cancelled and some staff have been told that they will move to district offices, including Pretoria.
No attempt has been made to communicate with O Joubert Attorneys who initiated the action by the Sheriff to force payment of R6.2 million for a medical negligence claim.
The blatant disregard for a court-ordered payment is shocking.
The Sheriff is likely to come back for the remaining furniture which will make things even worse.
If the removed furniture is auctioned, new furniture will have to be bought at great expense.
The MEC should not be so nonchalant about this serious matter and should urgently seek solutions to the financial crisis faced by her department.