‘Inappropriately’ Appointed Malotana Suspended

Health HOD’s qualifications flagged for alleged corruption, while his qualifications come under serious scrutiny.

Gauteng Health and Wellness head, Lesiba Malotana, has been placed on suspension amid investigations into looting and maladministration at Tembisa Hospital by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU).

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has for years been questioning the validity of Malotana’s appointment, subsequently accusing the SIU of dragging its feet after drafting a petition that called for his removal. Moreover, the Portfolio committee on Public Service last year also questioned whether proper procedures were followed in his appointment, calling for his qualifications to be verified and flagging him for alleged corrupt activities.

The Forum of South Africa (FOSA) has also followed suit with pleas for a harsher punishment, suggesting that he be fired immediately.

Malotana’s suspension by Premier Panyaza Lesufi comes hot on the heels of the recent SIU preliminary report that revealed that around R2-billion had been siphoned from the hospital through illicit tender procurement channels.

The Tembisa saga seems to have forced Lesufi’s hand to re-evaluate staff at the hospital and within the department, with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs head of department, Dr Darian Barley, being deployed to oversee the health portfolio in Malotana’s absence.

“This action taken by the premier is part of an ongoing assessment of officials, the work they do, the monitoring of targets, as well as their conduct.

“As a province, we remain committed to upholding the highest standard of accountability and ethical leadership, and at the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to root out maladministration.

“We will continue to monitor the work done by our officials and as and when the need arises, action will be taken,” a statement released on Tuesday by the provincial government read.