Gauteng Health MEC won’t provide top official’s qualifications

4 September 2024

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has refused to provide the qualifications of Mr Arnold Lesiba Malotana, the newly appointed Head of the Gauteng Health Department.

At yesterday's sitting of the Gauteng Legislature, I asked her to provide attested copies of Malotana's qualifications, but she ducked the question and said I should direct my enquiry to the Premier's Office as they had handled his appointment.

This disgraceful reply shows there is something to hide. Surely her own office has a copy of his qualifications as he has held senior positions in the department for more than a decade.

At my request, the Public Service Commission is investigating possible irregularities in Malotana's appointment, including whether he has the required master's degree for the position.

If there is nothing to hide, the MEC can easily provide Malotana's qualifications.

It is highly disturbing that Malotana was appointed despite a SIU investigation into a tender-rigging scheme where he allegedly shared a R8 million bribe with two other officials.

I have now put questions to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to confirm if proper procedures were followed in Malotana's appointment, including verification of his qualifications.

This department has been plagued for years by corruption and inefficiency.

The DA will continue to push for competent, honest, and accountable leadership at the department to ensure that every rand is spent to provide quality healthcare.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 4 September 2024