Lesufi commended for suspending top officials amid corruption investigation in Gauteng

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety have both welcomed and commended Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for taking action against two senior officials at the provincial Department of Community Safety.

This comes after Panyaza Lesufi confirmed the suspension with immediate effect of the Department of Community Safety HOD, Nontsikelelo Sisulu, and the department's Chief Financial Officer, Mduduzi Malope.

The suspensions on Tuesday come just days after Lesufi announced the conclusion of a forensic investigation by the Provincial Forensic Audit Unit within the Office of the Premier, which uncovered financial irregularities in the department.

On Sunday, Lesufi released several reports following multiple investigations into serious offences and corruption across multiple departments and entities within the provincial government. The reports covered a wide range of misconduct, from criminal acts to minor breaches of conduct.

Lesufi said the two suspensions are a precaution to ensure fair and unbiased investigations.

“The provincial government is committed to restoring public trust by upholding the highest standards of integrity. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct. Through proactive and corrective measures, we will strengthen governance, ensure the ethical and responsible use of public funds, and safeguard the interests of Gauteng residents,” said Lesufi.

As a result, Lesufi indicated that an acting HOD and CFO will be appointed to ensure continuity of service delivery, with DA shadow MEC of Community Safety, Crezane Bosch, saying this tough stance against corrupt officials should be commended.

"Premier Panyaza Lesufi's zero-tolerance approach should be applauded. However, we will withhold comment until we see the forensic investigation. The annual reports of the departments of the provincial government report incidents of financial irregularities every year. Why only now? Were these two? Are they sacrificial lambs?" ventured Bosch.

On Wednesday, portfolio committee chairperson, Dr Bandile Masuku, said Lesufi's decision reflects a strong commitment to ethical governance, transparency, and accountability within the provincial administration.

"As the oversight body for the Department of Community Safety, the committee views this development with serious concern, particularly as both the HOD and CFO regularly appeared before the committee to present reports on the department’s financial performance," said Masuku.  

In response, Masuku indicated that the committee is calling on the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to review and strengthen its Sector Oversight Model to ensure more rigorous scrutiny of departmental financial performance, including ensuring that committees implement more robust accountability measures and intensifying efforts to detect and prevent financial mismanagement.

"The committee strongly condemns any acts of corruption or financial misconduct within public institutions, especially within a department whose core mandate is to safeguard the lives and well-being of the people of Gauteng. Those entrusted with positions of authority must uphold the highest standards of integrity and service.

"The committee will continue to monitor this matter closely and will engage the Premier’s Office and other relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate action is taken and that public trust is restored. It will further seek a full briefing on the forensic report and explore further measures to strengthen financial controls and accountability." 

During his Sunday address, Lesufi announced multiple changes and reshuffles due to serious underspending amounting to R1.8 billion within affected departments, with reshuffles following the recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics and Advisory Council (GEAC).

"I also indicated that there were departments that underspent seriously. The total underspend at that time stood at R1.8 billion, which has now gone to R1.3 billion after the authorisation of some of the transactions that we requested to be carried over," Lesufi said.

Meanwhile, DA's shadow MEC of Health, Jack Bloom, accused Lesufi of "backtracking" on the removal of Health Department Head Lesiba Malotana after indicating weeks ago that his axing was "being finalised".

"On 17 July, Lesufi announced that he was removing three heads of department who failed their lifestyle audits and said the health position was being finalised. This weekend, he announced new and acting heads for departments, but the one for health is 'pending'. He was clearly intending to replace Malotana, but it seems there is heavy pushback from entrenched interests," Bloom said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za