Premier Lesufi won't remove Gauteng Health head facing SIU investigation
27 November 2024
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi will take no action against Gauteng Health’s Head of Department, Mr Lesiba Arnold Malotana despite the proclamation of a SIU investigation concerning two contracts in which he allegedly shared more than R10 million in bribes with two other officials.
Replying to my questions today at a sitting of the Gauteng Legislature, Lesufi said that President Cyril Ramaphosa had consulted with him concerning the proclamation, and he would wait for the final outcome of the SIU investigation.
This is an outrageous response as there should be no suspicion about the integrity of the Health department's top official, and SIU investigations typically drag on for a long time.
Lesufi has only himself to blame for this situation as he appointed Malotana as HOD in June this year despite public knowledge about the serious bribery allegations.
According to an amaBhungane article published in April 2023, a whistleblower accused Malotana and two senior officials of manipulating supply chain processes to ensure that medical devices company BAS Medxpress (BAS Med) got two tenders in 2016 and 2017.
At the time, Malotana was the Chief Director of the Special Projects Directorate and the CEO of Gauteng EMS.
The SIU has investigated a R31 million contract to supply plastic food containers to the department's Masakhane Laundry and Cook-Freeze Factory. Malotana allegedly shared a more than R8 million kickback with the other two officials for their supposed assistance with this tender.
Another kickback payment of R3 million is alleged, when BAS Med was selected to supply orthopaedic equipment to Gauteng hospitals.
In the Government Gazette of 8 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed the SIU investigation into any irregular, improper or unlawful conduct concerning the following tenders:
* GT/GDH/027/2015: Supply and delivery of three-division plastic containers with lids, small tubs with lids and dual-surface polyester film;
* GT/GDH/128/2016: Supply and delivery of orthopaedic implants, fracture treatment and arthroscopy items.
The heat is now turned up on Malotana and the two officials as the SIU has the powers for further investigation, can lay criminal charges, and can recover money through civil court action and asset forfeiture.
I fear that Lesufi's inaction on Malotana will have dire consequences for the fight against the corruption and inefficiency that harms patients in public hospitals and clinics.
Gauteng should learn from the DA-run Western Cape Health Department which gets clean audits from the Auditor-General, because they take care to appoint competent officials.
Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 27 November 2024
