Controversy And Hope As Masechaba Sesing Heads Up Free State Health Department

Interest in the appointment of the new head of department HoD at Free State health has churned with equal parts controversy, confusion and cautious hope that the beleaguered department in a beleaguered province can steady itself.

Masechaba Sesing has been in the role for about five months, having been moved into the position last November after serving seven years at the provincial treasury, leaving that department as HoD.

The chartered accountant previously worked at the auditor-general of South Africa. Before that, she had stints on international audits for the UN and the AU.

Her transfer from treasury to health was surprising for some watchers of provincial politics. It came after the treasury had achieved three successive clean audits under her leadership. A shift to the health department could arguably have been seen as a demotion.

Sesing did run into some headwinds at treasury though. Noticeable were allegations of inappropriately interfering in the appointment of senior staffers. It led to her being investigated by the Public Service Commission in two separate cases. She allegedly favoured candidates she was alleged to have personal connections with. One case has been found to be unsubstantiated the second is ongoing and Sesing has denied acting improperly.