Storm in traditional healers’ camp
STANDERTON – Lekwa’s traditional healers are up in arms and have expressed their anger and frustration towards the so-called self-appointed project manager of the Traditional Healers. The traditional Healers Forum is funded by the Department of Health to do consultations and field work within the community of Lekwa.
On the basis of their daily task in the community, members of the Traditional Healers are compensated with R1 100 a month. A team of ten members have reportedly not received their outstanding monthly payments for nine months, due to the fact that funds were not available from July 2014.
However funds were received in April 2015. It came as a relief to forum members, and they were looking forward to receive R9 900 backpay. Their expectations were shattered when they received different payments. Some claim to have been paid for three months, others for five months and others seven months. Angry members allege that the project manager refused to talk to them to explain the difference in their payment.
She allegedly chased them away from her office. Members called Cosmos News while protesting outside the office premisis. They showed Cosmos News their shabby pay envelopes with different amounts. They alleged that the current project manager has taken over the office illegally after the passing of the former manager in 2014. She did this, they claim, because she is the niece of the late project manager and was never voted into office as entailed in the constitution of the forum.
When contacted for comment against the accusations, Ms Christina Hlatshwayo denied allegations of the illegal occupation of the office. She defended her position by declaring that she was appointed by the late project manager before he died. Answering question of short payment, she said members failed to bring their performance forms to the office on a monthly basis which was the standard procedure. She could not pay members without return forms. Members have a different view. They claim she refused to provide them with forms, some claim that she told their leader that they were all fired.
Members accuse the manager of corruption and nepotism. She denies this claim, while the storm seems far from over. Cosmos News will keep a close eye on any developments. DM