Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – The Free State Department of Health under Mathabo Leeto is making drastic changes in the administration hardly two months in office, Leeto who replaced Montsheng Tsiu after the reshuffle following the Provincial Congress in which she was elected as Treasurer, has made changes in the department.
Step UP SA News has reliably learned Godfrey Mahlatsi, the department’s HOD has been asked to go home four months before his contract comes to an end and is likely to be replaced by former Health MEC and DA member Dr Benny Malakoane.
Malakoane was spotted at the department’s budget last month with sources saying he was invited by the MEC.
Leeto and Malakoane worked together as Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager at Matjhabeng Local Municipality and were charged in 2013 by the Hawks following allegations that they received kickbacks worth R13 million for irregularly awarded contracts but the charges were dropped against the pair and four others.
The Democratic Alliance in a statement then said.
“These charges relate to:
- A R2 billion multi-tender fraud and racketeering racket, over several years which crippled the Matjhabeng Local Municipality financially;
- MEC Leeto stands co-accused alongside MEC Malakoane for charges relating to corruption, fraud and money laundering involving a Gestetner contract. Her then husband, Lehana, allegedly received a R200,000.00 kickback paid directly into his personal account from Gestetner, the company awarded the contract; and
- During MEC Leeto’s tenure as mayor of Matjhabeng in 2009, she oversaw the construction of a R1 million wall and R500,000.00 worth of renovations to her private residence in Odendaalsrus.”
At Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation Leeto’s statues of Leabua Jonathan, former Lesotho Prime Minister is gathering dust after the government rejected it despite the department spending over R3.5 million of tax payers money.
According to sources in the department, Mahlatsi’s contract which ends in August 2023, has been asked to stay home with effect from 1 June 2023, and he will be paid out.
A source from the NEHAWU said Mahlatsi has always been a target of the new regime from the IPC days.
Godfrey became a target from the moment the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) called for Interim Provincial Committee, they wanted to push him and other HoDs out via Step Aside and that did not work gain.
They brought it back two weeks ago as the PEC and seeing that it can be challenged the best option is to buy his contract out.”
Our source said Mahlatsi is not the only victim.
“This we saw long ago and last week Sipho Towa who was the acting EMS Provincial Manager has been replaced by Sidney Dywili, the Deputy Principal of Free State College of Emergency but he has no operational experience.”
Another source said that Papi Marohanye who was Deputy Director General; Clinical Services is also targeted and his powers have been taken making way for Malakoane.
“Papi has had his powers reduced and only has three components and what is likely to happen is his job will be given to Dr Benny who applied for the same job last year but did not get the job.
He will then take over as HoD and this is likely to cause havoc in the already divided ANC leadership in the province.”
Last month we highlighted Premier’s comments in Bethlehem during International Nurses Day where Dukwana instructed Leeto to focus on hospital CEOs, we have established at least three CEOs are on the radar of the management and this is because some of the ANC leaders have a vested interest in who becomes the CEO at Mantsopa Hospital in Ladybrand, Bongani Hospital in Welkom and Dihlabeng Hospital in Bethlehem.
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for Free State Health could not be reached for a comment, we will afford the department a right of reply as this is a developing story.
If you have news or tips please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
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