By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Andrek Lesufi reshuffled government heads of department due to underperformance and has also released 39 forensic reports.
Lesufi said his reshuffle follows recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics and Advisory Council (GEAC).
The report, presented to Lesufi, highlighted efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct within the provincial government.
The GEAC also made recommendations, including the need for more effective ethics management and stronger compliance with ethical standards across various departments.
Lesufi said some heads of departments had missed their performance targets and failed to spend their allocated budgets.
Underspending for the previous financial year was R1.3 billion, with some of the money being at risk of being returned to treasury.
“We took serious exception that with the challenges we are facing of service delivery we cannot afford departments that are missing performance targets. We also found some audit outcomes which indicated some departments are not performing ideally. Within that context, I’ve taken a decision to reshuffle and reset heads of departments and remove other heads of departments from their responsibilities,” he said.
Lesufi said the appointments came into effect on the first of August.
- Department of e-government: Masabata Mutlaneng
- Department of infrastructure development: Rufus Mmutlana
- Treasury: Ncumisa Mnyani (retained)
- Cogta: Darion Barclay (retained)
- Transport: Thulani Mdadane (retained, post to be advertised)
- Human settlements: Puleng Gadebe-Mabaso (retained)
- Agriculture and rural development: Khululekile Mase (retained)
He also announced acting heads for the following departments:
- Environment: Matthew Sathekge
- Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation: Mpho Nawa
- Social Development: Phumla Sekhonyane
- Education: Albert Chaane
- Community Safety: Pending
- Health: Pending
The premier added that the Gauteng government is in the recruitment process for permanent appointments for these departments.
He also announced that Motlatjo Moholwa has been appointed as the new head of department for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
“I am pleased to have appointed the new head of department for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Motlatjo Moholwa. He brings with him a wealth of experience in the public service.”
Moholwa has served as the head of economic research and chief economist in the City of Johannesburg, a lead economist for the Land Bank and the deputy director general in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng Departments of Economic Development.
Lesufi announced the changes, alongside the release of newly concluded forensic investigation reports.
The released reports detail investigations into serious offences and improper behaviour across multiple departments. They cover a wide range of misconduct, from criminal acts to minor breaches of conduct,” he said.
The Gauteng premier said the reports will not be released at this stage, to avoid “harming the enforcement or implementation of the recommendations”.
“We are aware that releasing certain details early might disrupt ongoing legal cases or make it harder to follow the recommendations, including putting whistleblowers’ identities and safety at risk.”
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance has been accusing Lesufi of shielding corruption in the province, following multiple attempts, since 2019, for him to make all completed forensic reports public.