Suspended Gauteng Health head was flagged by the SIU

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has revealed that the head of the Gauteng Health Department, Lesiba Malotana, was suspended due to being flagged by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) after a lifestyle audit. 

MEC Faith Mazibuko stood in for Lesufi during a sitting of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 21 October, saying that a full forensic investigation will follow.

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom, questioned whether Malotana is the right person to be in charge of clearing up corruption in the health department, given a history of controversy.

This would include follow-up action to address the recent findings of the SIU on corruption in Tembisa hospital. 

Mazibuko, reading Lesufi’s answer to a question from Bloom, revealed that the suspended head of department failed his lifestyle audit, resulting in his suspension.

Mazibuko explained that a lifestyle audit was conducted on all of the province’s managerial positions. 

“The office of the premier entered into an agreement with the SIU in 2023, whereby lifestyle audits were conducted on Gauteng DGs, heads of department, and CEOs of entities,” Mazibuko explained. 

The lifestyle audits were set to take place between May and October 2023, but this was extended to August 2024 by the SIU. 

The SIU reached out to Malotana to request outstanding information, which was supplied and subsequently reviewed by the SIU.

“A final report was given to the premier in August 2024,” according to Mazibuko. “The SIU rated Malotane as high risk and recommended a full, forensic investigation into his lifestyle.”

Lesufi is still waiting for this full forensic report from the SIU to be completed and said he will “study the results before determining appropriate action.”

The Premier said that this was why the Head of Health was placed on precautionary suspension. He will remain suspended until the investigation is complete. 

Bloom responded that “it was always obvious he was high risk” and highlighted that he was appointed in June 2024, while under investigation by the SIU.

‘Of course he was high risk’ – DA

This was for his involvement in alleged tender-rigging involving BAS Medxpress, linked to R10 million in kickbacks from 2016, 2017 contracts, including R8 million from a R31 million Masakhane deal.

“We can only imagine the disaster inflicted on the health Department by a man whose lifestyle is assessed as high risk,” Bloom said.

However, questions remain. Bloom said that the South African public deserves to know the extent of Malotana’s wealth and how he got it, and what payoffs he has received during his long career in the department. 

“Was he involved with the R2 billion siphoned off from Tembisa Hospital, as well as other looting scandals?” Bloom questioned. 

Earlier this month, the SIU raided the home of the alleged Tembisa Hospital corruption kingpin Hangwani Maumela. 

Authorities seized Lamborghini vehicles, luxury art, and other assets following an interim court order to preserve approximately R900 million in assets allegedly linked to irregular payments from Tembisa Hospital.

The case, first put into motion by a News24 series of investigations, created intense pressure on the Gauteng Health Department, with ongoing SIU investigations continuing to highlight systemic corruption in the sector. 

Malotana was placed on suspension shortly after the Tembisa Hospital case came to light, on 14 October, with little explanation from Lesufi. 

Dorian Barclay, Head of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, was appointed Acting Head of the Department. 

Malotana has faced significant controversies during his tenure. A Public Protector report criticised Malotana for the irregular appointment of Tembisa’s CEO, fueling public outrage.

The DA launched a September 2024 petition for his removal, citing mismanagement.