The Democratic Alliance has written to the Public Protector to request an urgent investigation into the suspicious appointment of Mr. Arnold Lesiba Malotana as the Head of the Gauteng Health Department.
During a meeting of the Gauteng Legislature’s Health Committee last Thursday, Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced that Malotana is no longer the Acting Head of the Department. Instead, he has been appointed permanently for the past two months. Malotana had been acting in this position since April last year.
This is an extraordinary way to announce such a significant appointment. Why was it kept secret for two months? Surely it should have been announced when he was appointed. It’s definitely suspicious.
It appears that Premier Panyaza Lesufi appointed him shortly after the 29 May 2024 elections. However, this important appointment should not have been made before the new provincial government was formed, especially since the ANC failed to secure a majority.
I am concerned about the serious allegations regarding Malotana’s involvement in corrupt activities. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is reportedly investigating him and two other senior officials for their hand in a tender-rigging scheme through which they allegedly scored millions of rands in kickbacks.
See news report detailing the above here.
Another allegation is that Malotana did not possess the necessary Master’s degree for the position at the time of his application, and his appointment was postponed until he obtained it.
Mr. Malotana is also criticised in the Public Protector’s report for the irregular appointment of Dr. Ashley Mthunzi as the CEO of Tembisa Hospital. He is said to have ignored “material discrepancies” and rubberstamped Mthunzi’s appointment.
I have requested the Public Protector to investigate this appointment urgently as the Department is frequently mired in corruption scandals, with slow disciplinary proceedings against implicated officials. Lives are at stake if competent and honest top officials are not appointed.