Gauteng DA: Lesufi shielding corrupt officials by not releasing forensic reports

The DA has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to release all forensic investigation reports into claims of corruption.

The party claims the reports have been withheld since 2019.

Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga accused Lesufi on Tuesday of deliberately withholding forensic investigation reports conducted by the Gauteng provincial government over the past five years.

Speaking at a media briefing, Msimanga claimed that Lesufi is involved in covering up corruption.

"Since 2019, the Democratic Alliance has asked for the reports of all completed forensic investigations to be made public by the Gauteng provincial government.

“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 the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, requesting that all completed forensic reports be made public. This same request was made on 13 September 2024, which fell on deaf ears. The premier had until the close of business yesterday to deliver the reports to our office. It came as no surprise that we still do not have the reports," said Msimanga.

Msimanga believes the release of the reports would show that that the government is serious about clamping down on corruption.

"Recently, it came to light that a forensic audit launched into the Gauteng Department of Social Development had revealed that the director of the Sustainable Livelihoods programme, July Maphosa, had resigned in 2018 after he was accused of fraud and soliciting bribes. Furthermore, the forensic audit, which began in 2018, also revealed that between 2014 and 2018, a huge portion of the annual budget for the programme went to three non-profit organisations that shared directors.

“The contents of this forensic audit have still not been made public. This department plays a critical role in uplifting the lives of Gauteng residents. However, this cannot be done if only a connected few are given tenders to deliver services," claimed Msimanga.

A forensic investigation was meant to be undertaken into the conditions at Rahima Moosa Hospital, said Msimanga, but has yet to start.

"It is clear that when corruption occurs, there are only a few individuals that benefit, to the detriment of our residents.

“Furthermore, the lifestyle audits that Premier Lesufi claims have been completed have not been made public. For the last two years, we have been assured that this process has been completed. These lifestyle audits are also critical to clamping down on corruption.

“Corrupt activities in the province take away valuable money from service delivery, putting the needs of our residents on the back foot. Furthermore, additional money is spent on forensic investigations, of which we are never told whether the recommendations are indeed being implemented," he added.

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