By Doreen Mokgolo
The DA in Gauteng has called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to immediately release all completed forensic reports from the Gauteng provincial government.
The investigations were set up to determine whether corruption exists in the government and are essential to stopping it.
Many of the investigations, which started in 2016 under former premier David Makhura, have still not been made public.
At a media briefing, DA leader Solly Msimanga said the party has been asking for the reports since 2019.
Speaking at the Gauteng provincial legislature on Tuesday, Msimanga said they had been told for two years that the investigations were finished, but the reports are still being kept secret.
“Even though the AngloGold Ashanti Report, the Tembisa Hospital Report and the Driving Licence Testing Centre Report have been released, there are still many others that need to come out,” Msimanga said.
“The premier also said that lifestyle audits have been completed, but those reports have not been made public either.”
Msimanga added that on Friday, 11 October, the DA sent a letter to Lesufi’s office. They had made the same request on Friday, 13 September, and the premier was given until Monday, 16 September, to deliver the reports, but they were still waiting.
“Our requests have been ignored, and for years we’ve been given empty promises,” he said.
Msimanga also said the party is worried that public money is being spent on the investigations, but no one knows if the recommendations are being followed.
“On top of that, there is little protection for whistleblowers who report corruption,” he said.
“Lesufi talks about wanting a clean government, but with these reports still not released, we wonder what he’s trying to hide.”
The spokesperson for the premier’s office, Sizwe Pamla, said the DA is running a smear campaign against the premier for his views on the Bela Bill and the Government of National Unity.
“Which reports are they specifically talking about so that they can be furnished with the reports and their status? Two weeks ago, the premier released the lifestyle audit reports. If they believe the premier is on the wrong side of the law, they should approach the relevant institution and report him,” he said.
Pictured above: DA leader in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga.
Source: Supplied
