The DA has accused the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi of hiding forensic reports pertaining to corruption in the province. Picture: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
The DA has stepped up its accusations against provincial Premier Panyaza Lesufi, alleging that he is “doctoring and hiding” more than 58 forensic reports that could reveal corruption within the government.
Tensions rose sharply during a media briefing on Tuesday, where the DA provincial chairperson Solly Msimanga accused Lesufi of protecting politically-connected allies, many of whom he said are members of the African National Congress (ANC).
Msimanga added that his pleas and numerous promises made by both Lesufi and his predecessor, David Makhura, regarding lifestyle audits and transparency, have amounted to nothing.
“Since 2019, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked for the reports of all completed forensic investigations to be made public by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
“Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, and instead, we have been given empty promises year after year regarding the release of these reports.
“On Friday, we once again wrote to Premier Lesufi requesting the release of all completed forensic reports,” Msimanga revealed, underlining the lack of accountability and the governmental stalemate that has emerged.
“This same request was made on 13 September 2024, which also fell on deaf ears. We had given the premier a deadline for the close of business yesterday, but unsurprisingly, the reports remain undisclosed.”
In a response that appeared to dismiss the allegations, Lesufi countered the DA’s claims, stating: “Try harder! I released all the reports on 12 December 2022, two months after I took office.”
He challenged the DA, demanding specifics on which reports they allege are still being concealed: “I have nothing to hide.”
Despite Lesufi’s assertions, Msimanga firmly refuted the claims, stating that both the DA and the public still lack access to numerous reports from substantial investigations.
Among the notable examples cited were revelations from a forensic audit into the Gauteng Department of Social Development, which implicated senior officials in fraud and bribery that allegedly occurred years ago, yet these findings remain buried.
“Many reports, including the one pertaining to the Sustainable Livelihoods programme, reveal deep-rooted corruption that must be addressed for the benefit of the community,” Msimanga emphasised.
“A vast sum of the programme’s annual budget was directed to three non-profit organisations managed by the same directors. The public deserves to know.”
The DA chairperson further pointed to several unaddressed issues, such as ongoing conditions at the Rahima Moosa Hospital.
“Forensic examinations into these matters have yet to happen,” he noted, along with a critique of the government’s lifestyle audits — a process he argued has been squandered on underwhelming results, only to leave those implicated re-entering service post-suspension.
The DA outlined their next steps which Msimanga revealed will involve reaching out to the Public Protector, the Hawks, and even the president’s office in order to put more pressure on the premier to make these reports publicly available.
“Corruption adversely affects our service delivery, and the communities of Gauteng should not suffer because a select few evade accountability,” Msimanga stated resolutely.
The Star
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za