The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Gauteng Department of Health of failing to properly safeguard children in public healthcare facilities after revelations that nearly 40,000 staff working in child-facing environments are not routinely screened against key national child protection registers.
DA Gauteng spokesperson for education Michael Waters has called for urgent intervention, warning that existing safeguards are inadequate to protect vulnerable children in hospitals, clinics, and community health programmes.
This comes after Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed in a written reply to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature that the department employs 39,653 staff in “critical posts," many of whom work directly or indirectly with children.
In her formal response, Mazibuko confirmed that while the department conducts standard recruitment screening, including criminal background checks, qualification verification, and identity checks, it does not currently conduct routine vetting against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) or the National Child Protection Register (NCPR).
Mazibuko stated that the department carries out criminal background checks and standard pre-employment screening, including verification of qualifications, identity, and relevant professional registrations, as part of its recruitment and appointment processes.
