The Gauteng provincial government has revealed that it has lost millions of rand due to misconduct and corruption within its departments. Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefed the media today on completed forensic investigations, disclosing that 88 public servants have faced consequence management, while 55 criminal cases have been referred to law enforcement agencies.
Key Findings from Forensic Reports
The investigations, spanning back to 2016, uncovered a range of irregularities, including:
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Fraudulent activities in procurement and financial management.
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Mismanagement of state funds, particularly in high-budget departments like Health and Education.
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Unauthorized use of government resources, such as officials driving state vehicles without permission.
Vuyo Mhaga, spokesperson for the Office of the Gauteng Premier, confirmed that 47 out of 177 forensic reports have been finalized, with more expected as investigations continue.
Departments Most Affected
The Health Department emerged as a major hotspot for corruption, with at least 16 cases linked to fraud. Other departments implicated include Social Development and Education.
Mhaga noted that some cases involve senior officials, including Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) and other high-ranking supply chain management personnel.
Measures to Combat Corruption
The provincial government has implemented several anti-corruption strategies, including:
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Lifestyle audits for Heads of Departments (HODs), MECs, and supply chain officials.
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Strengthened collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to recover stolen funds.
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Open tender systems to improve transparency in procurement.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite progress, Mhaga acknowledged that the sheer volume of cases suggests deeper systemic issues. “We are dealing with a range of offenses—from minor policy breaches to large-scale fraud,” he said.
Next Steps
The SIU and law enforcement agencies will pursue criminal cases, while the provincial government continues internal disciplinary processes. Premier Lesufi has vowed to root out corruption, stating that no one, regardless of seniority, will be shielded from accountability.
As more forensic reports are finalized, further revelations are expected, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of Gauteng’s anti-corruption measures.
