Suspended Gauteng Officials Back in New Roles

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The Gauteng Provincial Government has clarified the return of several senior officials from precautionary suspension and their reassignment to new roles within the provincial government structure.

Lesiba Arnold Malotana, previously suspended head of health, has been temporarily reassigned as a senior manager in the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

Suspended community safety HoD Nontsikelelo Sisulu moves temporarily to the Premier’s Office for service delivery. Suspended CFO Mduduzi Malope joins Environment to aid financial administration.

These officials will continue to work in their new positions while their disciplinary proceedings continue.

The provincial government stated that precautionary transfers follow labour and public service guidelines, specifically the 60-day guidance in the Senior Management Service Handbook and Public Service Regulations.

“Precautionary suspensions must end after 60 days, with employees returning to work unless formal discipline started earlier,” so said Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the Gauteng provincial government.

He also said the aim is to avoid open-ended paid suspensions and to guarantee timely resolutions.

MEDIA STATEMENT |
The @GautengProvince wishes to clarify the recent decision to bring back several senior officials who were previously on precautionary suspension and their reassignment to different positions
within the provincial government.

These precautionary transfers are… pic.twitter.com/z0EOmejAA3

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) February 2, 2026

According to Mhlanga, precautionary transfers are being implemented to comply with regulations and stop senior managers receiving salaries without contributing service.

“Precautionary suspension is an administrative step, not punishment. Transferring officials reduces investigation interference while disciplinary processes continue separately,” he explained.

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Mhlanga stated that they are committed to clean governance and accountability, urging stakeholders to allow due process to unfold without speculation and to support lawful, beneficial governance measures.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng criticised Lesufi for redeploying suspended officials, viewing it as failing to fight corruption by merely shuffling high-ranking personnel.

Solly Msimanga, official leader of the opposition in Gauteng, emphasised that relocating officials under suspicion does not resolve Gauteng’s core issues of inadequate service delivery and corruption.

Undisclosed officials failed the lifestyle audits

“While the DA is relieved that the suspended HOD for Health will not be returning to the department, the shift to the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is of concern.

“The department is failing its core mandate to assist municipalities. Only the DA-led Midvaal Local Municipality can deliver services seamlessly,” he highlighted.

Msimanga revealed that three undisclosed officials failed the lifestyle audits and went on to say one tends to wonder if these are the officials who failed their lifestyle audits.