Note to Editors: Find attached English soundbite by Jack Bloom MPL.
The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng wishes to warn Premier Panyaza Lesufi that we will strenuously oppose the rumoured reported return of Mr Lesiba Malotana to his post as Head of the Gauteng Health Department.
Malotana was suspended in October last year after failing his lifestyle audit. The SIU found he was “high risk” and had received R1.6 million in questionable cash payments.According to sources, Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has been undermining the authority of Acting Head of Department (HOD) Dr Darion Barclay and telling officials that Malotana will be returning shortly.
Reinstating Malotana will be a disaster for a department mired in scandal and maladministration.
Premier Lesufi made a severe error of judgement in appointing Malotana as HOD in June 2024, despite the fact that the SIU were investigating him for allegedly sharing R10 million in bribes with two other officials to influence tenders.
Malotana is also implicated in the Tembisa Hospital corruption as he recommended the appointment of Dr Ashley Mthunzi as CEO on Tembisa Hospital in July 2021 despite discrepancies in his application form and interviews – this was revealed in a report by the Public Protector report. More than R2 billion was stolen from the hospital through corrupt contracts signed off by Mthunzi.
Instead of being charged with maladministration and improper conduct in this matter, Malotana got off scot-free. He also escaped censure in the PPE corrupt contracts scandal even though he was a member of the committee that authorised these contracts.
There is good reason to believe he receives political protection and has leverage because he knows which ANC politicians are involved in corrupt activities.
Another scandal he has presided over is the involves hundreds of cancer patients who did not receive radiation treatment, despite there being an available budget.
Financial management is so poor that the National Treasury has written to the department to give reasons why it should not be put under administration.
This is a defining moment for Lesufi. He must immediately fire Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko and support acting HOD Darion Barclay in cleaning up this department to ensure quality health care is provided in hospitals and clinics.
Putting the best people in charge at all levels will dramatically improve health services. It can be done — but only with decisive leadership and political will.