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The head of the Gauteng Health Department, Mr Lesiba Malotana, has been assessed as “high risk” according to the results of his Lifestyle Audit conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

This was revealed today by MEC Faith Mazibuko standing in for Premier Panyaza Lesufi in reply to my questions at the sitting of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

This vindicates the DA's persistent opposition to his appointment in June last year despite the SIU investigating him for allegedly sharing in R10 million bribes with two other officials to influence the award of two contracts.

Lesufi should be condemned for his severe error of judgement in appointing Malotana. He has now placed him on precautionary suspension, but we can only imagine the disaster inflicted on the Health Department by a man whose lifestyle is assessed as high risk.

We need to know the extent of his personal wealth and how he got it. What payoffs has he received in his long career in the department? Was he involved with the R2 billion siphoned off from the Tembisa Hospital, as well as other looting scandals?

The DA will insist that the disciplinary charges he faces are made public and that his disciplinary process is concluded speedily so he does not receive a huge salary while he is suspended.

He should not be allowed to resign to walk off with his pension, and criminal charges should be laid if he is found guilty of his disciplinary infractions.

Premier Lesufi should hang his head in shame for not appointing competent and honest people to fix the atrocious public health system in Gauteng. Sick and injured people in our province should receive the best care that the budget can provide, instead of the huge losses caused by incompetence and corruption.

Issued by Dr Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC