---
title: "Budget blues - Beleaguered Eastern Cape Health Department staff asked to donate to CFO’s farewell"
description: "The Eastern Cape Department of Health’s chief financial officer resigned and will leave the Department on Friday. But in a heartfelt memorandum, his staff members have asked everyone working for the beleaguered department to ‘chip in’ as there is no money to organise a party for him due to ‘financial constraints’."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "FAREWELL PARTY DONATIONS"
author: "Estelle Ellis"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/estelle-ellis/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-05-28-budget-blues-beleaguered-eastern-cape-health-department-staff-asked-to-donate-to-cfos-farewell/"
published: "2024-05-28T18:28:24"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 463
---

# Budget blues - Beleaguered Eastern Cape Health Department staff asked to donate to CFO’s farewell

> The Eastern Cape Department of Health’s chief financial officer resigned and will leave the Department on Friday. But in a heartfelt memorandum, his staff members have asked everyone working for the beleaguered department to ‘chip in’ as there is no money to organise a party for him due to ‘financial constraints’.

By Estelle Ellis · Published 28 May 2024, 20:28 SAST

## Key points
- Eastern Cape Department of Health staff asked to dig deep in their pockets to bid farewell to CFO Daca, as the financially-strapped department can't foot the bill for the send-off amidst a backdrop of unpaid bills totaling a whopping R4.8-billion, leaving the department in a state of disarray.
- Eastern Cape Department of Health employees asked to contribute up to R1,500 each for CFO farewell party
- Department spokesperson emphasises importance of not using taxpayers' money for farewell events
- Internal memo on official stationary requests donations from staff for CFO's farewell function
- CFO leaves department facing financial turmoil with R4.8-billion in unpaid bills, including phone bill issues and internal control deficiencies flagged by Auditor General

## Content

Eastern Cape Department of Health employees have been asked to contribute between R500 and R1,500 each for the farewell of the chief financial officer, Msulwa Daca, who has resigned.

An internal memorandum in possession of *Daily Maverick* states that there is no money in the budget for a party.

But the department’s spokesperson, MK Ndamase said it was not a departmental initiative and said it was important that taxpayers’ money doesn’t get used for farewell parties.

“We can confirm that after almost five years in the Eastern Cape Department of Health service, CFO Daca will be leaving to pursue his other interests.

**Read more in Daily Maverick:**[EC health department to start new financial year with R4.8-billion in unpaid bills](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-27-ec-health-department-to-start-new-financial-year-with-r4-8-billion-in-unpaid-bills/)

“We can also confirm that his office asked for donations internally to organise a farewell party for him. This is not being organised by the department but by staff at the CFO’s office.”

The “internal memo” sent to *Daily Maverick* has been communicated on official Eastern Cape Department of Health stationary and is addressed to “All deputy director-generals, all general managers, all CEOs, all district managers, all senior managers, all managers and all staff members.”

![Department of Health asks managers to pay for finance director's farewell. (Image: Supplied)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/X6R3ARP-VVQtj7yPFgH4U5kwyBU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Estelle_InternalMemo.jpg)

*Department of Health asks managers to pay for CFO's farewell. (Image: Supplied)*

It further states: “The Department plans to have a farewell function to appreciate his excellent performance during his five-year tenure.

“The venue was still to be determined, and the date has been set for 31 May.

“We would like to plead for donations to ensure the success of the CFO’s farewell,” the memo continues. “Due to financial constraints, the Department cannot fund this function; therefore, we request donations.”

The memo asks that the department’s acting head, senior finance managers and deputy directors-general donate R1,500 each. All senior managers are asked to pay R500 each, all managers and assistant managers R300 each and everybody else R150.

“Attached is a copy of the donation ruffle (stet) for all cash deposits. Feel free to deposit any cash…” the memo continues, adding a Capitec bank account.

#### **Department in disarray**

Daca leaves a department that is in dire financial trouble.

**Read more in Daily Maverick:**[EC Health Department scrambles to set up new emergency numbers after not paying the phone bill](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-25-ec-health-department-scrambles-to-set-up-new-emergency-numbers-after-not-paying-the-phone-bill/)

The Department started the new financial year for 2024/2025 with unpaid bills of R4.8-billion. These included the payment for crucial medical supplies, fleet services, phone bills, medicine, medical gas and municipal services for the province’s ambulances and hospital services.

The Department owed R36.5-million on its phone bill and had to implement a contingency plan earlier this year when Telkom cut off the ambulance call centres.

The Auditor General also flagged the department in November last year for “material misstatements” in its financial statements due to “significant internal control deficiencies”. **DM**