Johannesburg – The announcement by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi that suspended officials will be reassigned to new posts has irked Solly Msimanga, the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in the province.
Earlier on Monday, 2 February 2026, the Gauteng Provincial Government said its several senior officials who were on precautionary suspension had been reassigned to different positions within the provincial government.
“These precautionary transfers are in line with established labour and public service guidelines, particularly the 60-day guidance established through the Senior Management Service Handbook and the Public Service Regulations,” the Gauteng Provincial Government said in a statement made available to The Bulrushes.
Reacting to the move, Msimanga said: “Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is playing musical chairs by redeploying high-ranking officials who were placed on precautionary suspension.
“Moving officials who have a cloud hanging over their heads is not solving the problems faced by the province, which is a lack of service delivery and corruption.”
The officials placed on precautionary suspension for 60 days include:
- Lesiba Arnold Malotana – suspended Head of Department for the Gauteng Health Department
- Nontsikelelo Sisulu – suspended Head of Department for Community Safety
- Mduduzi Malope – suspended Chief Financial Officer for Community Safety
“The Premier has provided no update on whether disciplinary action has been taken against these officials and has instead moved them to other departments that provide critical services to the province,” said Msimanga.
“While the DA is relieved that the suspended Head of Department for Health will not be returning to the department, the shift to the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is of concern.
“This department is already failing on its core mandate to assist municipalities in delivering services to the residents of this province.”
The DA leader in Gauteng said, furthermore, the Head of Department for Community Safety will be deployed to the Premier’s office to assist with service delivery priorities, and the Chief Financial Officer for Community Safety will be deployed to the Gauteng Department of Environment to help with the financial administration process.
“In addition, three undisclosed officials failed the lifestyle audits, and one tends to wonder if these are the officials who had failed their lifestyle audits,” said Msimanga.
“Premier Lesufi must disclose what these officials may have on him that is making him reward them with senior positions again within the Gauteng Provincial Government.
“The DA Gauteng demands that Premier Lesufi immediately explain to the residents of this province what consequences management took against these officials and the outcome of any disciplinary action.”
However, Elijah Mhlanga, Spokesperson for Gauteng Provincial Government, explained that if an employee was suspended as a precaution, they must be allowed back to work after 60 days, unless formal disciplinary action has already begun against them during that period.
“The aim is to avoid open-ended paid suspensions and to guarantee timely resolutions,” said Mhlanga.
