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ActionSA is gravely concerned about the recent decision taken by the ANC led administration in the City of Joburg’s Council to appoint Lesiba Malotana as Head of the City of Johannesburg Public Safety Department. 

If this administration is prepared to ignore its own vetting processes and a candidate being red-flagged by the SIU, then residents should ask what else this coalition is prepared to ignore. The decision taken by Council is an insult to every resident who expects integrity from those entrusted with keeping our city safe.

ActionSA vehemently opposed this appointment from the onset and voted in support of the motion to halt it. We refuse to accept that Johannesburg's public safety should be placed in the hands of an individual whose integrity remains under a cloud of suspicion.

In my capacity as ActionSA Caucus Leader, I have formally written to the Premier of Gauteng and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), calling for urgent provincial intervention. 

ActionSA wants the Provincial Government to invoke a Section 106 investigation, declare the appointment irregular and direct the City of Johannesburg Council to reconsider or face court action.

We strongly believe that the leadership of this Department must embody honesty, integrity and ethics. Johannesburg deserves leaders who earn the public's trust, not leaders who begin their tenure under a cloud of controversy.

While Mr Malotana has not been convicted of any criminal offence or found guilty of misconduct, he remains the subject of allegations and ongoing investigations linked to the Tembisa Hospital matter. Those unresolved issues are exactly why many South Africans question whether he is fit to lead one of Johannesburg's most important departments.

His appointment is a slap in the face to the family of Babita Deokaran, who paid the ultimate price for exposing corruption in Gauteng's health system. 

ActionSA has always maintained that corruption is Public Enemy Number One. Government cannot preach accountability while effecting questionable appointments in state institutions.

Now more than ever, protecting the credibility of the City's institutions should be a foremost priority. When Council ignores its own vetting processes, it weakens public confidence in every future appointment it makes.

ActionSA will hold the Executive fully accountable for this reckless decision and closely monitor whether the conditions attached to Mr Malotana's appointment are enforced should any adverse findings emerge from the ongoing investigations.

Johannesburg residents deserve a public administration underpinned by merit, integrity and competent leaders. ActionSA will not remain silent while ethical governance is undermined for political expediency.

Issued by ActionSA Joburg Caucus leader & MMC candidate for Public Safety Marcel Coutriers