News24 reports that the head of the Department of Health, Lesiba Malotana, has gone to the Labour Court (LC) to challenge his suspension.

His central argument in the LC on Tuesday was that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi acted outside the scope of his contract and the Public Service Act when he placed Malotana on precautionary suspension. The suspension in October followed a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which had conducted a lifestyle audit on Malotana. According to the SIU’s interim report, more than R1.6 million in cash deposits from commercial activities could be traced across various bank accounts that did not reconcile with Malotana’s salary. He has allegedly been associated with a company that has links to a business providing contracted services to Tembisa Hospital, which the SIU contended raised concerns of a possible conflict of interest. The SIU called for a full investigation to be conducted, which Lesufi acceded to when he suspended Malotana.  

Malotana’s challenge to his suspension did not delve into the SIU’s allegations, except that the report allegedly contains contradictions, omissions and errors. Instead, his case focused on his employment contract and the Public Service Act. Lesufi was said to have failed to meet the requirements for an allegation of serious misconduct or interference with an investigation that would have allowed him to suspend Malotana. Judgment was reserved.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)

Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page