Suspended Gauteng Health HOD Lesiba Malotana Rated ‘High Risk’ in SIU Lifestyle Audit Amid Tembisa Hospital Corruption Probe

Johannesburg – Suspended Gauteng Department of Health Head of Department Lesiba Malotana has been flagged as “high risk” in a lifestyle audit carried out by the Special Investigating Unit, raising fresh questions about possible mismatches between his income and way of living. The audit results, revealed this week, come amid ongoing probes into massive fraud at Tembisa Hospital and other issues in the province’s health system. Malotana, who was placed on precautionary suspension earlier this month, has hit back by serving legal papers to challenge the move, setting the stage for a potential court fight.

As political parties like the DA and ActionSA call for full transparency and swift action, the case highlights deeper problems of graft and poor management that have plagued Gauteng’s hospitals for years.
The lifestyle audit, part of a wider push to root out corruption in public service, looked at Malotana’s finances and assets. Being labelled “high risk” often points to red flags like unexplained wealth or spending that does not match official pay. This has led to demands for a full review of his decisions as HOD, including hires in supply chain roles that could be tied to dodgy deals. With Gauteng’s health budget under strain and patients suffering from long waits and broken equipment, many see this as a key step towards cleaning up the department.

Lifestyle Audit Revelations Spark Calls for Accountability

The SIU’s findings on Malotana were made public on 21 October 2025, confirming the “high risk” status that suggests his lifestyle does not align with his declared earnings. This comes after months of whispers about his finances, with some linking it directly to his suspension on 13 October 2025. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the suspension, citing the need to probe tender irregularities, but stopped short of giving full details. The DA in Gauteng has long pushed for lifestyle audits on top officials, and now feels proven right. “The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is demanding that Premier Panyaza Lesufi reveal the real reasons behind the suspension of Health Department Head, Lesiba Malotana,” the party stated in a post on 20 October 2025.

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom has been vocal, saying: “If Mr Malotana failed his lifestyle audit, we should be told. All his decisions as HOD — including appointments in supply chain management — must be reviewed. The public deserves to know the truth.” He added that Malotana’s hearing should not drag on while he gets full pay, and if guilty, he should face criminal charges. Bloom plans to grill Lesufi on this during Premier’s Question Time in the legislature this week. ActionSA also welcomed the suspension but with caution, urging quick moves against all named in SIU reports and audits for every official in the department.

The audit ties into broader efforts to check public servants’ lives against their incomes, a tool used more often since scandals like the one at Tembisa Hospital. Malotana’s case is not alone; it follows calls for similar checks on others, like former Tembisa Hospital CFO Lerato Madyo, now facing charges in a R2 billion corruption mess.

Malotana’s Legal Challenge and Suspension Details

Malotana wasted no time in fighting back, serving legal papers on the Gauteng Provincial Government to contest his suspension. This could lead to a drawn-out court battle, adding to the drama in a department already hit by strikes, budget woes, and service breakdowns. The suspension letter from Lesufi cited ongoing SIU investigations into tender fraud, but many suspect the lifestyle audit was the final straw. Back in August 2025, Lesufi had said Malotana’s audit was the last one pending, amid questions about why he was still in post despite red flags.

The HOD’s role put him at the heart of big spending decisions, including contracts worth billions. Critics point to failures under his watch, like delays in cancer care and crumbling hospitals. The DA has also called for Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to go, blaming her for the system’s collapse. Online chatter in the last four days has mixed views, with some posts questioning if the focus on Malotana ignores wider issues, while others debate “black excellence” in leadership amid corruption claims.

Links to Tembisa Hospital Scandal and Asset Seizures

This audit is closely tied to the Tembisa Hospital fraud probe, where the SIU uncovered over R2 billion in dodgy deals. The scandal came to light after whistleblower Babita Deokaran was killed in 2021 for exposing graft. Recently, authorities seized luxury assets worth millions, thought to be from these crimes, including cars and properties linked to suspects. The DA laid charges against former Tembisa CFO Lerato Madyo on 16 October 2025, accusing her of ties to the fraud.

Malotana has been accused of shielding corrupt officials, with calls for him to step aside growing louder after the SIU’s decision to probe two big contracts under his watch. ActionSA’s Emma More, a member of the Health and Wellness Portfolio Committee, stressed the need to fix Tembisa Hospital fully to serve locals better. She called for urgent steps to hold people and companies accountable, and to bring back services with dignity.

The scandal has rocked Gauteng, with over 800 companies flagged for irregular tenders at Tembisa alone. Deokaran’s murder remains unsolved, but probes have led to arrests and asset grabs, showing some progress in the fight against health sector crime.

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