Cape Town – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has refuted allegations from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and AfriForum, rejecting claims that he is withholding multiple corruption reports.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Lesufi said that all reports produced since he took office as Gauteng Premier have been made public.
The DA and AfriForum recently accused the premier of hiding evidence of corruption and maladministration within the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed accusations by the DA and AfriForum that he has repeatedly failed to release numerous reports on corruption in the province. Lesufi says all the reports, which were authored since he became premier of Gauteng, have been released.… pic.twitter.com/eZdbK7qEPY
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 22, 2024
Lesufi clarified that the only report still pending release from his office is a lifestyle audit conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This report, he said, is awaiting finalisation by the South African Secret Service (SASS), which is currently assessing the lifestyles of Members of the Executive Council (MECs).
Lesufi said that he will release the report as soon as it is completed.
“The only report still outstanding is the lifestyle audit conducted by the SIU. I’m waiting for SASS to finish the lifestyle audit of the MECs, and once that’s done, I will be able to release the report,” Lesufi said.
He said that throughout his time in office, he has consistently released all reports without fail.
“Since becoming Premier in October 2023, there has been no report completed and finalised by the Hawks, SAPS, or any other institution that I was supposed to release but didn’t,” he said.
He added: “I am being accused of withholding reports I am unaware of, which is the basis for these accusations.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: @X/@Lesufi
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Thandile Xesi
