The future of Dr David Motau, the suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), is very bleak.
Step Up SA News has learned that the end of Motau’s 12-month probation is fast approaching on 31 May 2022. The former head of the Free State health department spent a mere two months in office before he was first suspended by the then acting Health Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane in August 2021. The suspension was due to Motau’s alleged contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Kubayi said at the time: “The decision follows the department’s receipt of a notice of arrest against Dr Motau, in relation to serious allegations of fraud and corruption during his tenure as the head of the Free State Department of Health.”
Though the suspension was lifted by the incumbent Health Minister, Joe Phaahla, he later made U-turn on his decision and re-imposed the suspension.
Motau stands accused of not acting against the alleged fraud that took place at the department between 2011 and 2015, involving several service providers. According to the Free State hawks the invoices the department used to pay out over R8 million to said service providers, were falsified and forged, with no tangible evidence of work done.
The Hawks say Motau was notified by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) that something was amiss regarding the invoices and he allegedly did nothing about it.
Following his arrest on 2 August 2021, the former HOD was promptly put on precautionary suspension from his role, his lawyer then wrote to the HPCSA President Prof Simon Nemutandani to appraise him on the criminal charges Motau is facing as former head of the department of Health in Free State. He appeared in court today together with 11 others and the matter has been postponed to 16 May 2022, no indictment again.
Christopher Tsatsawane, HPCSA spokesperson confirmed that Motau is still on suspension and on 12 months probation.
About the likely to lose out on the job at the council when his probation ends in May as the HPCSA can’t be paying him while he is at home.
Tsatsawane said.
“It would be speculative and preemptive to talk above the HPCSA’s attitude towards Dr Motau before the matter has been finalized.”
The question is will Motau have recourse should he be found not guilty as the case might drag on for years? Who will want to work with him after this?
If you have any news or tips-offs please send us an email: news@stepupsanews.co.za
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