Zwanga Mukhuthu
FORMER Eastern Cape health superintendent-general (SG) Lawrence Boya is suing the provincial Health Department for almost R1.4-million for malicious prosecution and defamation.
Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo, who is one of the defendants in the lawsuit, confirmed yesterday the department had already received summons from Boya's attorney Brin Brody.
He said the department would fight the lawsuit. "We are confident that the matter can be defended in court. "
Boya is blaming Kupelo and former health SG Dr Siva Pillay for the "embarrassment" he endured during an eight- month-long court case after he was arrested by the Hawks last February on allegations of fraud and corruption. His case was later thrown out of the Zwelitsha Regional Court due to lack of evidence.
Pillay took over as SG of the department when Boya's contract was not extended in 2009.
He is demanding that the department pays a sum of R471301.29 for damages and legal fees incurred during the court case. He is further demanding R900000 from the department for defamation.
He highlighted statements such as the one made by Pillay who allegedly told a journalist that with the money that was stolen by Boya, he could have hired 15 doctors.
The defamatory remarks also had a negative effect on his career at the City of Johannesburg Municipality, the summons said, as his track record had been tarnished.
