Lesufi Pushes Back: Forensic Report Release Not Driven by DA Pressure

Premier insists accountability was always the plan as 47 damning reports reveal a pattern of corruption, ghost workers, and lifestyle audit failures

Lesufi Responds to DA Claims

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed claims that he bowed to pressure from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in releasing a set of 47 forensic investigation reports, saying he has simply kept a promise made when he took office.

The reports, some dating back to 2016 uncover a trail of financial misconduct, abuse of state resources, ghost employees, and failed lifestyle audits. They’ve already led to 88 sanctions, 55 criminal cases, and the removal of three Heads of Department (HODs).

Lesufi was firm in his position. “I made the commitment in 2023 when I assumed office that these reports would be released once they became available. That’s exactly what’s happening,” he said.

DA Takes Credit, But Lesufi’s Office Says ‘Not So Fast’

DA Gauteng chairperson Solly Msimanga quickly claimed victory, stating that DA pressure had forced Lesufi to act. “This is out of the 177 forensic reports we’ve been demanding,” he said, vowing to keep pushing for the full release.

But Sizwe Pamla, Lesufi’s spokesperson, clapped back.

“It’s not pressure from the DA. It’s a matter of principle. The premier has consistently said the reports would be made public when ready,” said Pamla. “Political parties may be impatient, but we are committed to due process, not political point-scoring.”

What the Reports Reveal

According to Lesufi, the 47 released reports have already had significant impact:

• 88 individuals sanctioned for misconduct

• R2 million recovered out of R3 million lost

• 55 criminal cases opened

• Three senior officials fired after failing lifestyle audits

• 37% of senior officials flagged as high-risk or financially suspicious

Lesufi added, “Almost 60% of the money lost to fraud and corruption in these cases has already been recovered by our departments, just in the last quarter.”

A Transparency Test for Gauteng

Lesufi’s release of the reports comes at a politically sensitive time. With eyes on Gauteng’s governance record, critics are demanding deeper transparency, especially on long-standing issues like ghost employees, irregular spending, and state capture-era corruption.

Public frustration is understandable, some of these reports date back nearly a decade. Still, the latest batch is seen by some governance advocates as a step in the right direction, even if the road to full accountability is still long.

Political Games or Genuine Governance?

While the DA is celebrating what it sees as a win for opposition oversight, Lesufi insists this was part of a governance cleanup agenda from the beginning. Regardless of motive, the public now has access to dozens of long-hidden forensic reports that have resulted in real disciplinary action.

Still, 130 more reports remain under wraps, and citizens across Gauteng are watching closely. Whether political posturing or policy-driven, the push for accountability in Gauteng is far from over.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com