​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said he anticipates that both new Health MEC and the Strategic Management Support Team will be in place by December 2020.
Responding to questions during a virtual sitting of the legislature, Premier Makhura said he was not delaying the appointment of the new MEC, "but since large-scale acts of corruption and malfeasance in the procurement of PPE in the department have eroded public confidence and we had to ensure that all investigations are concluded." 
He said following the investigations tough decisions had to be taken on the executive authority, accounting officer and some of the senior managers of the department, based on the outcomes of the investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
"Subsequently, we have also received representation and reports from the Public Service Commission and Department of Public Service and Administration about structural issues and systemic problems requiring urgent attention in order to deliver quality public healthcare services" he said.
Makhura said the province has been working with the National Department of Health to develop a comprehensive administrative intervention that will support and strengthen the Gauteng Department of Health in meeting its constitutional responsibilities, including in supporting the current management team at all levels to deal with increasing COVID-19 cases and the possible second wave.
The Gauteng Executive Council will announce a strategic management support team (SMST) of public health experts and management specialists who will drive the turnaround of the department. 
The team of experts will support the new Health MEC in putting the department on a recovery from all the ills that have persistently plagued the public healthcare system in Gauteng.