Gauteng Health Department’s HOD Lesiba Malotana has challenged his suspension. Premier Panyaza Lesufi placed Malotana on suspension on Wednesday and appointed Dr Darion Barclay to act in his position.

This comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) revealed widespread corruption in the department.

Barclay is currently leading the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in the province.

Premier Lesufi has confirmed that his office has been served with papers from the suspended official.

The provincial Health Department denies that Malotana’s suspension is related to the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital fraud scandal. However, Lesufi claims the suspension stems from a different SIU report.

Lesufi reveals this information on Friday at the launch of the Gauteng Police’s annual Safer Festive Season Operation in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.

“The reality is that the SIU indicated that they’ve just released a criminal report on Tembisa Hospital. They are still investigating. But they gave me a separate report on the basis of the leadership of the department. And on the basis of that report, I acted. I can confirm that I received papers that gave me 48 hours from the legal firm representing the HOD, advising me to reverse that decision. I’m preparing papers to oppose that request.”