Premier Lesufi suspends Gauteng Health head amid Tembisa Hospital corruption probe. Image: IOL.
(The Post News)- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has suspended the head of the Gauteng Department of Health and Wellness, Lesiba Arnold Malotana with immediate effect amid the ongoing investigations into corruption and irregular tenders at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital.
Lesufi announced the suspension on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 describing it as part of the provincial government’s “renewed commitment to accountability and ethical leadership.”
Dr Darion Barclay, currently the head of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), has been appointed acting head of the Health Department. “Dr Barclay’s appointment highlights the importance of prioritising seamless service delivery,” said Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Mhlanga added that the provincial government fully supports the ongoing work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and other law enforcement bodies probing corruption within the health sector. “The Gauteng provincial government reaffirms its full support for the work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and other law enforcement agencies.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to root out maladministration and to uphold the highest standards of accountability and ethical leadership,” said Mhlanga.
Tembisa Hopital Scandal
The suspension follows intensified investigations into large scale corruption at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, where millions of rands were allegedly looted through irregular tenders and ghost suppliers.
According to reports, the scandal came to light after the 2021 assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, a senior Gauteng Health official who had flagged suspicious payments amounting to hundreds of millions of rands to obscure companies linked to the hospital’s procurement system.
Deokaran’s warnings prompted investigations that later uncovered extensive fraud. The SIU confirmed that tenders worth more than R2 billion were found to be irregular, involving companies that supplied overpriced goods ranging from medical equipment and latex gloves to everyday items such as skinny jeans and armchairs.
DA Demands Axing of Gauteng Health Head
The Gauteng government has faced mounting calls from civil society and opposition parties to hold senior officials accountable for systemic corruption within the province’s health institutions. The DA promised to push for the firing of non-performing HODs, such as Malotana.
DA Gauteng sSpokesperson for Health Madeleine Hicklin said, “A DA-led Gauteng provincial government will continue to provide ethical leadership to all its citizens, an accountable government, and deliver professional services in the best interests of its citizens, not for the benefit of a political party. This will be done through firing corrupt officials and hiring competent ones who can deliver services. We will not protect corrupt officials at the expense of service delivery.”
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