KZN health MEC slammed for excusing herself from parliamentary meeting at last minute

KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has come under fire from parliament's health portfolio committee for failing to attend a scheduled meeting.

In a statement, portfolio chair Sibongiseni Dhlomo expressed disappointment at Simelane-Zulu’s no-show and lambasted her for “delaying the programme of the committee”.

The committee further agreed that the matter should be reported to the speaker of parliament and the house chairperson.

Simelane-Zulu was not immediately available for comment.

Dhlomo — himself a former KZN health MEC — said he had informed Simelane-Zulu that the committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday and that there was no other day when members could attend.

“The committee adjourned the meeting, as committee members were of the view that the meeting could not continue when the MEC was absent. The committee said the absence of the MEC is delaying the programme of the committee,” he said.

 “The committee said it is unacceptable for the MEC to tender an apology just before the start of the meeting. The committee said the MEC knew about the meeting and did not formally write to the committee to indicate that she would not be available.”

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