The DA wants the Gauteng provincial government’s ethics committee to investigate allegations that premier Panyaza Lesufi failed to act against corruption in the department of social development.
“The DA is in possession of forensic reports from Bowmans and BDO which highlight the gross corruption, mismanagement of funds and irregular expenditures in the department,” Refiloe Nt’sekhe, the party’s shadow MEC for social development, said.
“The premier is aware of these reports and, in his capacity, should have acted on the recommendations. Instead, he chose to ignore and protect those implicated in corruption at the expense of Gauteng residents.”
Nt’sekhe said the DA had been raising concerns about irregular financial practices in the department, “including the procuring of school uniforms from co-operatives and dignity packs”.
She said the DA had also asked social development minister Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe to investigate allegations made against the department’s director of sustainable development, July Maphosa.
This was after it emerged he had “allegedly requested FoodBank to purchase his girlfriend a car and tickets to the Cape Town Jazz Festival, which included flights, car hire and hotel accommodation. A case was opened against Mr Maphosa by the NPO, but he subsequently resigned”.
“Despite his resignation from the department, there are allegations that he still has influence because of his affiliation with the ANC leadership in the province. Furthermore, there was no consequence management against him, as he was allowed to resign without being taken through disciplinary processes,” Nt’sekhe said.
“Furthermore, the DA has been putting pressure on the premier to act against the head of department, Matilda Gasela, who had two adverse findings against her by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). During April, the premier conceded that she was not the right appointment and decided not to extend her contract to December as planned.”
Nt’sekhe said Lesufi had ignored DA calls to make the SIU reports public. “The DA also asked if the SIU matters had been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority as recommended by the SIU, but there was no response,” she said.
Nt’sekhe added: “We will hold premier Lesufi accountable for failing to act on corruption using all mechanisms in the [Gauteng provincial legislature].
“We will also continue analysing the reports to ensure that all the recommendations are implemented and implicated officials and politicians are held accountable. We will also be opening criminal cases against those implicated as per the recommendations, and we will leave no stone unturned.”
Lesufi’s spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said: “Allegations are not facts, but those who have information about corruption have every right to open a case with the country’s law enforcement agencies or report them to legitimate democratic institutions.”
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