The DA has launched a petition demanding that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi remove Lesiba Arnold Malotana as the head of the province’s Health Department following his alleged linkage to malfeasance involving state funds.
Malotana is under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for allegedly taking part in an R8 million bribe.
The DA is calling for the premier to retain the department’s dignity by removing Malotana from his position.
The petition reads: “We, the undersigned, are gravely concerned by the ongoing mismanagement of the Gauteng Health Department, riddled with corruption and shocking hospital failures. We call on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to overhaul the department’s leadership, starting with the removal of the head of department Lesiba Arnold Malotana, who is under investigation for allegedly taking part in an R8 million bribe.”
The DA is also challenging the credibility behind Malotana’s appointment as head of department (HOD), raising concerns about his qualifications.
The DA’s provincial spokesperson for health, Jack Bloom, had written a letter to the Public Protector’s office to urgently launch an investigation pertaining to Malotana’s qualifications.
The DA alleged that Malotana had been appointed prior to receiving his Master’s qualification, which raised questions about the hiring process.
“Malotana was appointed as acting head of department in April last year. In July this year, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced at a health committee meeting that he had been appointed as HOD two months previously,” said Bloom.
According to media reports, Lesufi denied claims against his HOD’s appointment, noting that Malotana’s hiring process was transparent and based on merit.
The premier confirmed that Malotana has the required qualifications to occupy office, for which he received a clearance certificate from the State Security Agency (SSA) on May 22.
“Following the interviews, a competency assessment was conducted on April 17 as required for all Senior Management Services (SMS) positions. Additionally, a Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE) was completed to verify qualifications and criminal records,” said Lesufi.
Bloom confirmed that the Public Protector’s office had alerted him that the Public Service Commission (PSC) was investigating the matter.
“In Parliament, Jan de Villiers, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on public service and administration, has requested the PSC to investigate Malotana’s appointment,” said Bloom.
The Health Department has also recently come under fire following patient Tom London’s viral video of alleged maltreatment of patients at Helen Joseph Hospital.
“The viral video by Tom London has highlighted the shocking treatment of patients in Gauteng public hospitals. The DA believes a radical change in top management is needed to cut rampant corruption and ensure the budget is properly spent on decent health care in Gauteng. A good response to the DA petition will pressure Lesufi to do what is necessary to clean up this failing department,” said Bloom.
Gauteng provincial government (GPG) spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga told “The Star” that the DA was recycling a matter that had been addressed before.
He said the GPG had issued a statement in July which clearly stated that a vetting process had been conducted before Malotana was hired.