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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is launching a petition today which calls on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to remove Mr Lesiba Arnold Malotana as head of the Gauteng Health Department.

The petition can be accessed here.

It reads as follows:

“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 Head of Department Lesiba Arnold Malotana, who is under investigation for allegedly taking part in an R8 million bribe.”

Malotana was appointed as acting Head of Department (HOD) 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.

I have referred Premier Lesufi’s suspicious appointment of Malotana to the Public Protector to probe possible irregularities, and they have informed me the Public Service Commission (PSC) is now investigating it.

Of particular concern is that the SIU is investigating allegations that Malotana shared a R8 million bribe with two other officials. Furthermore, questions have been raised about his qualifications for the job.

In Parliament, Mr Jan de Villiers, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, has also requested the PSC to investigate Malotana's appointment.

It should not be forgotten that the department tried to cover up the corrupt payments at Tembisa Hospital revealed by murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran.

And 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 public healthcare in Gauteng.

A good response to the DA petition will pressure Lesufi to do what is necessary to clean up this failing department.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC