By Johnathan Paoli
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to fight corruption, recover public funds, and restore integrity within the provincial government following the dismissal of three heads of department.
The premier released 47 finalised forensic investigation reports and the removal three HODs due to failed lifestyle audits.
Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Lesufi said these reports were previously referred to the Public Protector, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and other Chapter Nine institutions for further action.
“We are proud to release these reports to indicate our commitment that we will not tolerate any form of corruption. We have taken the recommendations to the MECs so they can begin implementation. Those found guilty will face consequences,” Lesufi said.
The reports cover a wide array of misconduct including procurement fraud, ghost employees, theft of state resources and irregular expenditure.
The 47 reports represent a subset of a broader set of 177 investigations dating back to 2016.
Lesufi emphasised that contrary to public belief, the reports were not withheld by the Office of the Premier, but were in the possession of individual departments, which were reviewing and implementing recommendations.
The breakdown of reports from departments include: 16 from health; seven each from social development and community safety; four from cooperative governance and traditional affairs; three from sports, arts, culture and recreation; two each from roads and transport, treasury, and human settlements; and one each from education, e-Government, and the premier’s office.
These reports expose serious issues such as financial misconduct, irregular procurement, unfair labour practices, and even criminal threats and assault.
The premier assured that departments were at various stages of acting on the findings, with oversight mechanisms in place to ensure accountability.
Lesufi outlined several corrective actions stemming from the forensic reports, including institutional disciplinary processes, registration of criminal cases with SAPS, reporting of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless & wasteful expenditure to Treasury, blacklisting of non-compliant service providers, and civil litigation and recovery of state funds.
In the last quarter alone, departments recovered R2,039,689.78 of the R3,448,215.07 lost to financial misconduct constituting an almost 60% recovery rate.
In total, 88 individuals have faced consequence management, and 55 criminal cases have been registered.
To enhance accountability, the premier’s office is monitoring the implementation of recommendations through quarterly reports, and collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit and the SIU continues to ensure expedited recovery via the Special Tribunal.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng, while acknowledging the publication of the reports, accused Lesufi of succumbing to political pressure.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the party had been demanding the release of all 177 reports since 2023.
“This is long overdue. The people of Gauteng are tired of empty promises. We want full transparency, and the release of all reports—not just 47. A DA-led government would have published all reports and named and shamed corrupt officials,” Msimanga said.
The DA expressed concern that the government continued to shield high-profile individuals by citing the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which it argued did not apply to public officials involved in misconduct.
Lesufi said the HODs were dismissed from their positions over the weekend.
The lifestyle audits, conducted by the SIU, found that 37% of senior officials had questionable wealth profiles.
“We gave them a chance to explain. Their explanations did not satisfy the SIU. I have therefore decided to remove them from their posts, and the director-general has been tasked to facilitate the process,” Lesufi said.
Lifestyle audits are now being expanded across the province, targeting all officials in supply chain management and finance roles.
The premier’s office has signed a secondment agreement with the SIU to ensure the audits are conducted thoroughly.
The first department-wide report, starting with the Office of the Premier, is expected in the coming months.
Lesufi also announced the appointment of Ewan Botha of the Patriotic Alliance as the new MEC for environment.
He replaces Shayla Peters, who has been redeployed to the National Assembly.
Botha, who holds an LLB from the University of Pretoria and is pursuing an MBA, brings a strong background in risk, compliance and governance from both public and private sectors.
His mandate includes leading the province’s climate action, waste management and renewable energy strategies.
“We are confident that Mr Botha will champion the province’s environmental sustainability agenda,” Lesufi said.
The premier called on civil society and the media to engage with the reports responsibly and support the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
Lesufi welcomed the release as marking a milestone in the provincial government’s transparency drive to ensure promises translated into real accountability.
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