Sindiswa Gomba
MPL
Eastern Cape MEC for Health
In office
29 May 2019 – 18 February 2021
PremierOscar Mabuyane
Preceded byHelen Sauls-August
Succeeded byXolile Nqatha (acting)
Nomakhosazana Meth
Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Assumed office
19 March 2019
Personal details
Born (1958-05-21) 21 May 1958
NationalitySouth African
Political partyAfrican National Congress
ProfessionPolitician

Sindiswa Griselda Gomba (born 21 May 1958) is a South African politician who was the Eastern Cape MEC for Health from 2019 to 2021.[1] She became a Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in March 2019. Gomba is a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and previously served as a municipal councillor of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

Early political career

Gomba joined the ANC and started her political career as a municipal councillor of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.[2] During her tenure on the council, she was one of the longest-serving councillors. She and many other councillors were charged in relation to the scandal around Nelson Mandela's funeral.[3]

Eastern Cape provincial government

On 19 March 2019, she was sworn in as a Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, succeeding Thandiswa Marawu.[4] She was elected to her first full term in May 2019. She was sworn in on 22 May. Premier Oscar Mabuyane appointed her to his Executive Council as the MEC for Health. She assumed the office on 29 May.[5][6][7]

On 12 February 2021, Gomba appeared at the East London Magistrate's Court on charges of corruption, money laundering, fraud, and violation of the Municipal Finance Act in relation to the alleged siphoning of a portion of the R10 million that was meant for Mandela's funeral, through flouting tender processes. She is one of 14 co-accused.[8] On 18 February, premier Mabuyane dismissed her as the MEC for Health. She will remain as an ordinary member of the Eastern Cape provincial legislature.[9]

Coronavirus pandemic

In April 2020, national health minister Zweli Mkhize expressed his frustration with Gomba's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nelson Mandela Bay.[10] The regional African National Congress Youth League called for her removal,[11] but premier Mabuyane defended her.[12]

While in a Zoom meeting with minister Mkhize and her provincial counterparts on 28 April 2020, Gomba said: "andidikwe" (meaning "I am fed up"). Her comment generated controversy, and she subsequently apologised, saying that she was misunderstood.[13][14]

On 12 June 2020, the Eastern Cape Health Department launched a project, in which they bought scooters to address the challenge of people being rushed to hospitals in wheelbarrows in rural areas in the province. The project was seen as controversial and a failure.[15]

On 13 December 2020, Gomba tested positive for the coronavirus,[16] but she since recovered.

References

  1. ↑ "Meet Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's new cabinet". IOL. Port Alfred. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  2. ↑ George, Zine (18 August 2016). "Officials to be sworn in today despite tensions". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Zuzile, Mphumzi (11 May 2019). "NPA shows 'serious concern' as Mandela funeral fraud case withdrawn". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  4. ↑ Nkosi, Nomazima (20 March 2019). "Councillor sworn in as Bhisho MPL". Pressreader (The Herald). Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  5. ↑ "Only 2 of 9 Health MECs in job for more than 2 years". Spotlight NSP. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  6. ↑ Tandwa, Lizeka (28 May 2019). "Mabuyane announces Eastern Cape cabinet". News24. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "JUST IN l Oscar Mabuyane announces new EC cabinet". HeraldLIVE. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Dayimani, Malibongwe (12 February 2021). "Mandela funeral fraud: Eastern Cape health MEC among 15 accused back in the dock". News24. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  9. ↑ Dayimani, Malibongwe (18 February 2021). "JUST IN l Eastern Cape health MEC Sindiswa Gomba fired". News24. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Tandwa, Lizeka (23 April 2020). "Covid-19 - Mkhize furious with Eastern Cape Health MEC and team, sends reinforcements". News24. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  11. ↑ Nkosi, Nomazimo (25 April 2020). "ANCYL in Nelson Mandela Bay calls for health MEC Gomba's exit". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Eastern Cape premier Mabuyane leaps to defence of under-fire health MEC". DispatchLIVE. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  13. ↑ Karrim, Azarrah (29 April 2020). "'Andidikwe': Eastern Cape health MEC's briefing blunder". News24. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  14. ↑ May, Zizonke (29 April 2020). "Eastern Cape Health MEC says she was misunderstood for 'andidikwe'". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  15. ↑ Eastern Cape's failed medical scooter project: Call for Sindiswa Gomba's head
  16. ↑ "BREAKING l Eastern Cape health MEC Gomba tests positive for Covid-19". DispatchLIVE. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
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