Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Gauteng MEC for health.
The Gauteng department of health has come under fire for spending more than R13 million on nine staff members who were suspended with full pay in recent years.
This revelation was made by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in response to questions from DA Gauteng MPL and health spokesperson Jack Bloom in the Gauteng Legislature.
Bloom highlighted the case of Advocate Mpelegeng Lebeloane, former chief director of legal services, who received a staggering R4.7 million while on suspension from July 2019 until last year. She was later reinstated, only to retire in July 2024.
“Three senior staff were suspended since 26 January 2022 for alleged financial misconduct concerning the refurbishment of the Anglo Ashanti Hospital [in Carletonville]. One has recently resigned, but more than R6 million has been spent so far on their salaries in this inexcusably long-running matter,” said Bloom in a statement on Monday.
READ: Gauteng health admits Helen Joseph Hospital neglected protocols in handling deceased body
He added that two more officials, suspended since July 2022 and currently under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit, have yet to face any charges. Bloom described the situation as “a shocking delay in accountability.”
He said:
Three officials suspended this year include an admin clerk implicated in a job-selling scam, a medical officer accused of sexual assault, and an admin and logistics clerk facing assault charges.
The delays, according to Bloom, are being blamed by the department on “prolonged investigations and repeated postponements of hearing dates.”
He criticised the department’s handling of these disciplinary matters, calling it “pathetic” and a clear justification for the DA’s call for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to remove department head Lesiba Malotana.
“The DA stands firmly against prolonged disciplinary processes as it affects the effective running of departments, leading to poor service delivery to citizens. We propose that the period of suspension should not exceed 60 days,” Bloom added.
READ: DA asks Lesufi to remove Gauteng health boss Arnold Lesiba Malotana
Last week, the DA launched a petition urging Lesufi to remove Malotana from his position. The party claims Malotana is embroiled in a corruption scandal and ongoing mismanagement within the provincial health system.
By Monday 23 September, the petition, which went live on 18 September, had garnered more than 2 800 signatures. It expresses concern over what the DA describes as “shocking hospital failures” and widespread corruption in the department, specifically calling for Malotana’s dismissal.
Malotana is also under investigation for allegedly accepting a portion of an R8 million bribe. Appointed as head of the department in early 2024, after initially serving in an acting capacity, his appointment is now under scrutiny.
Jan de Villiers, chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on public service and administration, has requested an investigation by the Public Service Commission into Malotana’s appointment, citing possible irregularities in the hiring process.
City Press reached out to the department for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication. This article will be updated accordingly once a response is received.
Thapelo Lekabe
www.news24.com
