‘Try harder masters’ – Lesufi sends strong message to DA following forensic report allegations

Lesufi

Cape Town — Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has dismissed the allegations levelled against him over his alleged covering up of corruption, money laundering and fraud.”

The claims were made by AfriForum who alleged that Lesufi has been covering up corruption within the Gauteng Provincial Department, which came after 13 officials from the Department of Social Development who are implicated in forensic investigations, a statement read.

“The officials were placed on special leave on allegations of misconduct between November 2023 and January 2024 to avoid them tampering with the investigation and intimidating witnesses. However, the officials were reinstated in August 2024 as they had not been offically charged,” Lesufi said.

The investigation by the Forensic Services Group is still ongoing and will be made public once the report has been concluded.

Lesufi said it was not the first time the provincial government release an investigative report to the public.

“In December 2022, we gave an update on investigative reports referred to Chapter Nine institutions such as the Special Investigating Unit, National Prosecuting Authority and the Public Protector,” he said.

The reports sought to uncover maladministration, fraud, corruption and any other wrongdoing in these institutions and projects.

“Making these reports public forms part of our commitment as the Gauteng Provincial Government to institutionalise integrity and promote good governance and transparency. Whist we are committed to making reports public, we must allow the investigators space and time to conclude their work,, Lesufi said.

According to The Citizen, Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader, Solly Msimanga, announced he would report Lesufi to the Office of the Public Protector and President Ramaphosa for concealing the reports of corrupt activities.

He said the party would approach Ramaphosa to unleash the Hawks on Lesufi to do a full investigation.

“We will not hesitate to take this matter to court if we can,” Msimanga added.

In response to the DA’s claims, Lesufi took to X and admonished the DA for its relentless and desperate campaign against him.

“I’m sure many of you have now witnessed the relentless and desparate campaign the DA is running to first to unseat me as Premier., second to destabilize and choke the GP Province. The DA has vowed to do this since I am deemed to have robbed them a seat at the GP table based on the announcement of the PGU,” he said.

He added that the DA was given a chance to participate in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) but chose not to, and instead presented unreasonable demands that the ANC could not accept.

“Now they are running a campaign to paint me as corrupt, irrational and an ANC rogue. I serve as Premier at the behest of my organization and although I am humbled by the faith the organization has on my leadership skills, I do not take this appointment for granted I remain resolute that Gauteng and indeed the country needs to prosper for all that live in it. We can only prosper as individuals if our province and our country prospers,” he added.

Lesufi invited the DA to play a more meaningful role and stop making matters personal against him by making him out to be a monster in a bid to sway public opinion of him.

“Our people are not stupid. It makes me wonder where would be had we not been brave enough to resist the DA takeover of GP a call they so desperately yearn for. My message to the DA is try harder masters, the slaves have woken up and smelled the coffee,” he concluded.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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