Health dept head suspended

ACTION: GAUTENG PREMIER SENDS MALOTANA HOME IN WAKE OF POLICE RAIDS, SEIZURES >>→ DA says Lesufi's action comes 10 months too late.

- Jarryd Westerdale & Marizka Coetzer

The noose is tightening around those allegedly involved in looting the Gauteng health department funds from Tembisa Hospital, as head of department Lesiba Malotana has been suspended.

This comes 10 months after the DA called for his head for allegedly taking an R8 million bribe to manipulate tender processes.

Malotana's suspension was announced yesterday by premier Panyaza Lesufi in the wake of coordinated raids by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on alleged looting kingpins, which saw the seizure of hundreds of millions of rands worth of mansions, luxury vehicles and supercars.

The health department has been under intense pressure after the SIU detailed how at least R2 billion had been siphoned from Tembisa Hospital.

"The Gauteng provincial government reaffirms its full support for the work of the SIU and other law enforcement agencies," the government said.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to root out maladministration and to uphold the highest standards of accountability and ethical leadership," it said.

Malotana will be replaced by Dr Darion Barclay, who will be drafted in to fill the head of department position on an acting basis.

Barclay had been serving as the head of corporate governance and traditional affairs, a portfolio that covers many aspects of municipal governance.

The DA has been calling for Malotana's removal for two years, questioning whether his appointment was above board.