Lesufi releases second batch of forensic reports amid transparency push
Premier Lesufi briefs media on latest forensic reports
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has publicly released a second set of forensic investigation reports, exposing allegations of corruption, irregular expenditure, and unethical conduct across several provincial departments.
The 39 reports, made public on Sunday, 3 August 2025, cover entities ranging from the gambling board and tourism to health and agriculture. This follows the release of 47 similar reports in June, forming part of the provincial government’s wider efforts to address public concerns over accountability.
Lesufi said the investigations were conducted by both the province’s internal forensic unit and external agencies, including the public protector. The findings highlight cases of irregular expenditure in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and possible collusion between procurement officials and service providers in the Department of Economic Development.
The premier explained that the reports were only made public after repeated allegations by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that the provincial government was hiding them to shield implicated individuals. Departments are not legally obligated to submit reports to his office, but the provincial administration requested them following the allegations.
“We indicated that at the time we didn’t have the reports on our desk,” Lesufi said. “Because there was this persistence that there were these reports, the DG requested departments to forward them. After receiving them, we felt it necessary to make them public.”
No Immediate Firings of Underperforming HODs
Lesufi also addressed leadership accountability concerns, saying that while some Heads of Department (HODs) were removed or shifted to other roles following previous reports, others had been retained or temporarily replaced. He stressed that the province must avoid costly and reckless dismissals, even when dealing with poor performance.
“It has never happened before in the history of this province that we’ve removed HODs en masse for non-performance,” he said. “But we must move carefully—we don’t want to lose money or cases because of recklessness.”
Some cases have been referred to law enforcement, and the province plans to appoint younger, more diverse leadership, including more women, to strengthen governance and address weaknesses exposed by the investigations.
The reports shed light on alleged corruption, irregular spending, and even whistle-blower intimidation in various departments. With the second batch now public, Lesufi aims to rebuild public trust and demonstrate the Gauteng government’s commitment to transparency, while acknowledging that systemic reforms will take time to implement.
