Panyaza suspends Head of Gauteng Health, DA demands axing

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has suspended head of the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness Lesiba Arnold Malotana, with immediate effect, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling for his axing.

Malotana's name has being linked to numerous scandals and a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into allegations that he received a multimillion-rand bribe to approve a contract, along with other officials in the department.

Lesufi has appointed Dr Darion Barclay to act in the position.

Barclay leads the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Lesufi is confident that he will ensure stability and continuity in the department.

"…his appointment highlights the importance of prioritising seamless service delivery," Lesufi said.

On Thursday, the Premier's Office will also make the signed performance agreements of all Members of the Executive Council available to the public.

Meanwhile, DA Gauteng sSpokesperson for Health Madeleine Hicklin accused Lesufi of providing Malotana with "high-level protection" despite being implicated in the numerous scandals and SIU investigation.

She noted that in August, Lesufi offered a terse reply to DA Shadow Health MEC Dr Jack Bloom when he questioned whether Malotana had failed his lifestyle audit.

"Lesufi responded that he was 'awaiting the finalisation of the audit' and stated that 'he was not accountable to the DA, he was accountable to the African National Congress'.

"But the Premier is wrong: he is answerable to the citizens of Gauteng, not to internal factions of the ANC," Hicklin said.

The DA promised to push for the firing of non-performing HODs, such as Malotana, who Hicklin said had headed a department synonymous with various scandals such as the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokoran who uncovered the R2-billion scandal at Tembisa Hospital; the underspending of R725-million in the last financial year; and R250-million meant to provide treatment to cancer patients across the province that was returned to National Treasury.

"A DA-led Gauteng provincial government will continue to provide ethical leadership to all its citizens, an accountable government, and deliver professional services in the best interests of its citizens, not for the benefit of a political party. This will be done through firing corrupt officials and hiring competent ones who can deliver services. We will not protect corrupt officials at the expense of service delivery," stated Hicklin.