NUPSAW welcomes the immediate suspension of Gauteng Department of Health HoD
National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) welcomes the long overdue decision by Premier Panyaza Lesufi to place Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) Head of Department (HoD) Lesiba Malotana on suspension with immediate effect. The suspension comes as agencies, including the SIU, intensify probes into alleged large-scale looting at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, where millions of rand were siphoned through irregular contracts and ghost suppliers.
We have been calling for the removal of Malotana based on these allegations and now they are being corroborated by the SIU’s report. SIU probed two questionable contracts within the department, in which Malotana is implicated. His alleged corrupt ways dates back to 2016 when he was the Chief Director of the Special Projects Directorate and the CEO of Gauteng Emergency Medical Services. We urge the Premier to look into all other contracts within the department to verify whether proper procurement processes have been followed in line with the PFMA.
Although NUPSAW welcomes and commends the Premier’s decision, we feel it is long overdue as the rot of looting and corruption that has embroiled the GDoH has been going on for quite some time now. This suspension is just but a drop in the ocean in curbing the corruption within the department, especially because it is evident that he was not working alone. More still needs to be done to ensure that the public finances are accounted for. These are funds that were meant to ensure the working class receive quality healthcare and their lives are saved.
NUPSAW calls on Premier Lesufi to totally remove everyone that was linked to the reported corruption and place honourable people with morals in those positions. The GDoH needs dedicated people who care about the health and wellbeing of the public as well as being considerate to the employees, to steer it. In addition to the ongoing corruption and looting of public funds within the department, there is the inconsideration and ill-treatment of CHWs, EPWPs and other contract workers. The issue of the EPWPs working under the Gauteng Department of Health occupying funded posts, has been a sore one for a while now and it is a deliberate exploitation of workers. These workers have been marginalized when it comes to filing of these posts and vacancies. They have been working for the Department for over ten (10) years like other contract workers, however there is no solution with regards to their employment. We therefore urge the Premier to consider urgently absorbing these workers and ensuring that they earn a decent wage.
It is uncalled for that the people entrusted with public funds and ensuring quality healthcare continue to enrich themselves rather than utilising them for their intention and also creating jobs for those in dire need and deserving. The struggling working class are dependent on these people doing the right thing.
~ENDS~
For more information and media enquiries contact:
NUPSAW Media Liaison officer Neo Lebethe on 069 742 4004
NUPSAW General Secretary Solly Malema on 082 323 2958