TimesLIVE reports that newly appointed health minister Joe Phaahla has lifted the precautionary suspension of Health Professions Council of SA's (HPCSA’s) registrar and CEO David Motau.

Last Thursday, the then acting health minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, placed Motau on precautionary suspension, effective immediately. Motau's suspension followed his appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court last Monday, where he was charged with the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. He was released on bail of R5,000. Kubayi had said Motau's suspension was necessitated by the seriousness of the allegations and its ramifications for ethical dynamics in the health fraternity. Motau's attorney Neville Gawula said Motau would be reporting for duty on Wednesday. Last week, Gawula wrote to HPCSA president Prof Simon Nemutandani to appraise him on the criminal charges Motau is facing as former head of the department of health in the Free State. According to Gawula, any allegations of financial irregularity at the department predated Motau's tenure there by some three years.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE

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