By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to release all forensic investigation reports into claims of corruption in the province.
The party held a media briefing demanding the release of all forensic reports conducted since 2016.
DA Gauteng Leader Solly Msimanga said the Premier had until Monday afternoon to hand over the requested reports, which he did not do, despite two new requests – one in September and one on Friday.
“It came as no surprise that we still do not have the reports. Year after year, millions of rands in taxpayers’ money are lost to corruption, particularly in government departments. The forensic investigations undertaken by the GPG are meant to determine whether any corrupt activities have been taking place in government. By releasing these reports, Premier Lesufi will show that his government has nothing to hide and is serious about clamping down on corruption,” Msimanga said.
Specifically, the DA wants sight of the report relating to the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in which a recent audit revealed that Sustainable Livelihoods programme director July Maphosa was accused of fraud and soliciting bribes, after which he resigned in 2018. The audit also revealed that much of the yearly budget for the programme went to three non-profit organisations that shared directors, between 2014 and 2018.
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,” Msimanga said.
He also noted that the forensic investigation in to the Rahima Moosa Hospital has not begun and that lifestyle audits undertaken under Lesufi’s leadership 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 backfoot. Furthermore, additional money is spent on forensic investigations, of which we are never told whether the recommendations are indeed being implemented,” Msimanga said.
Msimanga said the DA would exhaust all avenues to make the reports public, including approaching the president and Public Protector.
“We will also approach the president to ensure we unleash the Hawks to do a full investigation on the reports. We will not hesitate to take this matter to court if we can,” Msimanga said.
Lesufi’s spokersperson Sizwe Pamla said, the DA should approach the relevant institutions if they have any evidence of wrongdoing.
“They are supposed to approach the relevant democratic institutions,” he said.
Pamla said he believed that the Premier was being targeted by “anti-progressive” groups.
Msimanga also denied there was a tussle over the allocation of portfolios, which his party said it must reflect the will of the voters in the recent general election.
After being elected Gauteng premier with the support of the DA, Lesufi constituted the Gauteng executive with the Patriotic Alliance, Rise Mzansi and Inkatha Freedom Party. It excludes the DA.
Lesufi had offered the DA executive posts that would have placed it in a minor and subjected position in the province. The ANC’s national leadership accepted this. The DA rejected it.