DA Slams Gauteng Government Over Delays in Disciplinary Action Against Lesiba Malotana
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the Gauteng Provincial Government for what it describes as prolonged delays in taking disciplinary action against senior health official Lesiba Malotana, following his failed lifestyle audit.
Malotana was suspended last year from his role as head of the Gauteng Department of Health after the audit raised concerns. However, despite the seriousness of the findings, he returned to work on Monday and has since been redeployed to a different portfolio within the provincial administration.
Two other heads of department who were also placed on precautionary suspension have similarly been allowed back to work and reassigned to alternative departments.
Provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga explained that labour regulations require employees on precautionary suspension to be reinstated after 60 days unless formal disciplinary processes are initiated within that timeframe.
“It is also important to add that the affected officials have not yet been found guilty,” Mhlanga said. “They are therefore going to continue working in different departments.”
DA Welcomes Transfer — But Questions Lack of Charges
While welcoming Malotana’s removal from the health department, the DA has raised serious concerns about the absence of formal charges months after the failed audit.
The party’s Gauteng health spokesperson, Jack Bloom, said he was relieved that Malotana would no longer be stationed at the Gauteng Department of Health but warned that transferring him to another senior post does not address the core issue.
Bloom described the development as yet another example of what he called the provincial government’s deeply troubling pattern of delayed disciplinary action.
“I am relieved that Mr Lesiba Malotana is not returning to the Gauteng Health Department, but his precautionary transfer to a senior position at another department raises the question of why he has not yet been formally charged,” Bloom said.
“This follows a disturbing trend of delayed disciplinary proceedings which can drag on for years.”
According to Bloom, these prolonged processes undermine accountability and weaken service delivery, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare. He added that unresolved cases often prevent the appointment of qualified and independent leaders who could drive meaningful reform.
“The DA will push for speedy discipline against Malotana based on his failed lifestyle audit. It should not be allowed to drag on, as it blocks the appointment of a competent and uncompromised Head of Department to fix our public health service,” Bloom said.
Broader Concerns Over Accountability
The DA argues that the situation reflects a systemic failure within the Gauteng administration to act decisively when senior officials face serious allegations. While labour laws are designed to protect employees from unfair treatment, the party insists that government must also ensure that disciplinary mechanisms are implemented promptly and transparently.
Critics say the practice of rotating suspended officials into other departments, without concluding investigations, risks eroding public trust and sends the wrong message about consequences for misconduct.
Healthcare, in particular, remains under intense scrutiny in Gauteng, with ongoing challenges ranging from staff shortages and infrastructure backlogs to budget pressures and patient care concerns. Opposition parties maintain that strong leadership at departmental level is essential to stabilise the system and restore confidence.
For now, Malotana’s redeployment means the Gauteng Department of Health will continue operating without a permanent head while disciplinary matters remain unresolved.
Calls for Faster Resolution
The DA has vowed to maintain pressure on the provincial government to ensure that the process is concluded without further delay. Bloom said his party would continue using oversight mechanisms in the legislature to demand timelines, transparency and accountability.
As Gauteng residents wait for clarity, the case has once again highlighted the tension between labour protections and public-sector accountability — and renewed debate over whether current disciplinary frameworks are fit for purpose.
Whether the provincial government moves swiftly to finalise proceedings against Malotana could prove a key test of its commitment to clean governance and effective leadership in one of South Africa’s most critical service delivery departments.
