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The Democratic Alliance renews our call for Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to be fired following her defence of suspended head of department Lesiba Malotana, and her denial of overcrowding at hospitals.

In an interview with the Sunday Times today, she claimed that Malotana was "the best the department had ever had" and had been “vic¬tim¬ised” and “singled out”. She said she had "con¬fid¬ence in him because he is one per¬son that I have worked with who [has helped] me clear this depart¬ment."

This is despite the SIU's lifestyle audit report on Malotana that identified more than R1.6m in dodgy cash depos¬its and recom¬men¬ded a forensic probe into his fin¬an¬cial affairs. He was suspended but brought back in a senior position at the Gauteng Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Department as his 60-day sus¬pen¬sion lapsed before charges had been laid against him.

In her interview the MEC denied there was an overcrowding crisis in Gauteng public hospitals,
claim¬ing some patients simply prefer sleep¬ing on the floor.

This is outrageous and shows how out of touch she is with poor hospital conditions. Many patients spend days in casualty waiting to be admitted to a ward.

Last week, I intervened when a patient at Bheki Mlangeni Hospital was in casualty for a week before being admitted. I also referred a Facebook complaint about an elderly woman waiting on a hard chair for assistance at Far East Rand Hospital from 3pm on Sunday to 11am on the Monday.

The MEC praises Malotana even though hundreds of cancer patients have suffered because he failed to spend R250 million budgeted for radiation treatment.

Financial management is so poor that the National Treasury has written to the department to give reasons why it should not be put under administration.

Malotana is also implicated in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption as he recommended the appointment of Dr Ashley Mthunzi as CEO on Tembisa Hospital in July 2021 despite discrepancies in his application form and interviews - this was revealed in a report by the Public Protector.

Instead of being charged with maladministration and improper conduct in this matter, Malotana got off scot-free. He also escaped censure in the PPE corrupt contracts scandal even though he was a member of the committee that authorised these contracts.

The MEC pushed for Malotana to be appointed as HOD despite all these red flags. I suspect he is politically protected as he knows which ANC politicians are involved in corrupt activities.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi is also accountable as he was the one who appointed Malotana as HOD. He should fire his arrogant Health MEC and replace her with a competent person who does not deny obvious problems in our hospitals and clinics.

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