JCA OUTRAGED BY MALOTANA APPOINTMENT
Malotana Appointment Undermines Public Trust in Joburg
The JCA strongly condemns the appointment of Lesiba Arnold Malotana as Johannesburg’s Head of Public Safety despite serious unresolved integrity concerns. Council had the responsible option of waiting for ongoing investigations to be concluded but chose not to. The JCA demands the immediate rescission of the appointment, an urgent legal review, and full public disclosure of the reports and risk assessments considered by Council.
STATEMENT SUMMARY
The Joburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) has condemned the Johannesburg City Council’s decision to appoint Lesiba Arnold Malotana as Head of Public Safety, arguing that the appointment undermines demands for ethical, competent and accountable government.
The JCA says Council proceeded despite information reportedly identifying Malotana as a high-risk candidate and despite serious unresolved integrity concerns.
Malotana was previously removed as Gauteng Health HOD following a precautionary suspension amid ongoing Special Investigating Unit investigations into financial irregularities, including procurement fraud linked to the Tembisa Hospital scandal. A lifestyle audit reportedly flagged him as high-risk, while a complaint has also been lodged with the Public Protector.
While recognising the presumption of innocence, the JCA argues that the central issue is whether Council exercised responsible judgement by appointing someone facing unresolved integrity questions to a position overseeing the JMPD, Emergency Management Services, traffic enforcement and municipal law enforcement. It is particularly concerned that Council rejected a proposal to defer the appointment until the SIU investigation was completed.
The JCA is demanding the immediate rescission of the appointment, an urgent legal review of Council’s decision, and full public disclosure of the reports, risk assessments and legal advice considered by Council. It warns that Johannesburg cannot demand accountability from officials while lowering ethical standards for senior executives.