By Johnathan Paoli
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has hit back against serious allegations involving a cover-up of widespread corruption, money laundering and fraud within the Gauteng government.
He vehemently denied the allegations on Wednesday, describing them as “baseless and misleading”.
The premier also clarified that officials in the social development department were placed on special leave to prevent interference with an investigation, which wasongoing.
His statement follows civil rights organisation AfriForumaccusing the premier of corruption.
Its private prosecution unit is representing a whistleblower seeking accountability for the misuse of funds intended to support NGOs through the social development department.
The whistleblower alleges that hundreds of millions of rand have been misappropriated over nearly a decade, with forensic reports identifying numerous officials for their involvement in fraudulent activities linked to government allocations for food banks, school uniforms and dignity pack programmes.
AfriForum alleges that Lesufi is the central figure in the cover up. The allegation centres around the investigation of 13 officials from the department who are implicated in forensic investigations.
They were suspended between September last year and January. However, they have since been reinstated without facing formal charges, although an additional private investigation is currently underway.
Lesufi said that once the investigation had been completed, a report would be made public.
“This would not be the first time that the provincial government releases an investigative report to the public.
“In December 2022 we gave an update on investigative reports referred to Chapter 9 institutions such as the Special Investigating Unit, National Prosecuting Authority, and the Public Protector.
“These included reports on Anglo Ashanti, Tembisa Hospital, and the Driving Licence Testing Centres amongst others,” the premier said.
His remarks follow the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng also accusing him of corruption. The party alleges Lesufi has failed to release around 100 reports on forensic investigations.
Advocate Gerrie Nel, who heads up AfriForum’sprosecution unit, claims that Lesufi was made aware of the forensic findings involving the social development allegations, but opted to appoint a law firm to review the reports, allegedly to clear the implicated officials.
Nel argues that this action appears to be an attempt to conceal wrongdoing and obstruct justice, citing concerns about wasteful expenditure and the integrity of the investigation process.
“Your conduct may be construed as defeating the ends of justice. You are legally obliged to report offenses under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act,” Nel said in a letter to the premier’s office.
As the political fallout from these allegations unfolds, the premier faces mounting pressure to address corruption transparently.
The situation continues to develop, with AfriForum pledging to monitor the outcomes closely and advocate for justice in the face of alleged governmental wrongdoing.
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