DA says ANC coalition unlikely in Gauteng as party urges Lesufi to release forensic reports

DA

Cape Town — The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said it was unlikely the party would join the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in the province.

According to Gauteng Chairperson, Fred Nel, said it was clear that the African National Congress (ANC) had chosen to work with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) instead of the DA. He said it would be difficult to join the GPU unless they got rid of some of the parties, which he said was unlikely as the provincial ANC was not willing to partner with the DA, The Citizen reported.

Nel said it would be difficult for the ANC in Gauteng to break their deal with the EFF.

“They will have to break their agreement with the EFF to come with us. However, it is highly unlikely that there will be any positive relationship at this stage,” he said.

He added that Luthuli House was aware of the DA’s demands for proportional allocation of seats in the provincial executive committee of the provincial government. The DA allegedly asked for three out of the 11 positions, which the ANC did not agree to.

“Fikile Mbalula and the other national leaders knew what we were asking for, but they decided to stick with the decision of the provincial structure,” he said.

The DA’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, also said the party had been trying to meet with the ANC’s PEC but with no positive responses.

“We never left the table, the ANC in Gauteng did not want us around the table,” Msimanga said.

“On Friday, we once again wrote to the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, requesting that all completed forensic reports be made public. This same request was made on 13 September 2024, which fell on deaf ears. The Premier had until the close of business yesterday to deliver the reports to our office. It came as no surprise that we still do not have the reports,” it said.

“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,” it added.

The DA added that many forensic investigation reports have not been made public yet including the Rahima Moosa Hospital. While some audits have been conducted, the outcomes have not been made public.

“Furthermore, the lifestyle audits that Premier Lesufi claims have been completed 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,” it added.

The DA said corrupt activities in the province take money away from service delivery and the needs of residents and additional money is then spent on investigations. The party urged Lesufi to release the results.

“Premier Lesufi, do the right thing and release the reports on all the completed forensic investigations today. Take the public into your confidence and release the reports. Implement the recommendations of the report and start the process to recover all the money lost to corruption,” it said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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