Gauteng Health HOD suspended
Gauteng Health HOD suspended — Premier Panyaza Lesufi has officially suspended the Head of the Gauteng Health Department, Lesiba Malotana, with immediate effect, marking a significant move in the province’s efforts to restore integrity and accountability within public health administration.
Leadership shake-up in the Gauteng Health Department
Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed the suspension on Monday, stating that Dr. Darion Barclay has been appointed to act as the new Head of Department while investigations continue.
Although Lesufi did not provide detailed reasons behind the decision, the move follows mounting pressure over multiple allegations of misconduct involving Lesiba Malotana.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has reportedly been probing two multi-million-rand tenders within the Gauteng Health Department, with evidence suggesting potential irregularities in procurement processes.
Allegations and financial mismanagement
According to reports, Lesiba Malotana has been linked to alleged tender rigging involving contracts worth several million rand. The SIU investigation aims to determine whether due process was followed and if any corruption or personal enrichment occurred.
Beyond the corruption allegations, the Gauteng Health Department has faced criticism for its financial inefficiencies. In the last financial year, the department underspent by R725 million, raising serious questions about governance, service delivery, and oversight.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has publicly expressed frustration over the department’s repeated failures to execute its full budget, emphasizing that underspending in healthcare directly affects essential services across hospitals and clinics.
Lesufi’s commitment to accountability
Addressing the media, Premier Panyaza Lesufi reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance. “We cannot tolerate any form of corruption or negligence, especially in departments that serve our people’s most urgent needs,” Lesufi stated.
He assured residents that the province will continue to work closely with the Special Investigating Unit to ensure a fair and transparent outcome.
This latest suspension is part of a broader campaign by Lesufi’s government to clean up public institutions and restore trust in provincial governance. The Gauteng Health Department, one of the province’s largest and most critical sectors, has faced years of controversy over procurement, infrastructure, and service delivery failures.
The SIU’s growing involvement
The Special Investigating Unit has been at the forefront of corruption probes in the public sector, investigating alleged irregularities in multiple provinces.
In Gauteng, the SIU’s focus on health-related contracts follows a series of high-profile corruption scandals, including issues surrounding COVID-19 procurement and hospital infrastructure projects.
If the allegations against Lesiba Malotana are substantiated, it could lead to disciplinary action, criminal charges, and a complete overhaul of the department’s procurement systems.
Dr. Darion Barclay takes the helm
Dr. Darion Barclay, now acting as the new head of the Gauteng Health Department, has been tasked with stabilizing operations and improving fiscal discipline.
His immediate priorities will include restoring financial accountability, improving internal controls, and ensuring that the department’s spending aligns with healthcare priorities.
Health sector analysts say Barclay’s appointment is a strategic move to rebuild confidence in a department that has long struggled with inefficiency and mismanagement.
Broader implications for Gauteng healthcare
The Gauteng Health Department oversees critical services, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency medical care. Persistent leadership instability has contributed to delays in projects, poor service delivery, and morale issues among healthcare workers.
Lesufi’s decision to suspend Lesiba Malotana sends a strong message about accountability at the top level. It underscores the Premier’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption and maladministration, particularly in sectors that directly impact citizens’ wellbeing.
Community health advocates have welcomed the move, urging the provincial government to accelerate reforms and strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent future misconduct.
Transparency and reform ahead
The suspension of Lesiba Malotana also comes as the provincial government prepares to roll out a series of health infrastructure projects under its 2025/2026 budget plan.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has vowed to ensure that future tenders are processed transparently, with stricter auditing and procurement oversight.
He emphasized that the people of Gauteng deserve a health system that functions efficiently and ethically. “We must protect every cent meant for our hospitals and clinics,” Lesufi said.
Conclusion
The news that Gauteng Health HOD suspended has sparked renewed conversations about governance, ethics, and accountability within South Africa’s public health system.
As the Special Investigating Unit continues its probe, all eyes remain on the Gauteng Health Department and its next steps under Dr. Barclay’s leadership.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s firm stance signals that the era of unchecked corruption in Gauteng’s public institutions may finally be coming to an end.
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