Lesufi announces new HODs in administrative shake-up of Gauteng govt
Lesufi announced the appointments of new HODs for a number of departments during a provincial legislature sitting on Thursday morning.
The departments of e-gov, infrastructure, sports, health, social development and education now have new HODs.
While three heads of department were fired and others resigned from the provincial government, some were moved to other portfolios.
Thirty-seven percent of high-ranking officials in the Gauteng government failed their lifestyle audits, which were conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Moreover, an internal assessment found that some heads of department were at the centre of mediocre service delivery and questionable payments
The province's ethics advisory committee then recommended that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi crack the whip on incompetent senior officials.
"In the last few months, we witnessed displeasing acts of under expenditures to the tune of R1.8 billion, senior members failing lifestyle audits, and underperformance by some departments. We taken a decision to reset government."
Albert Chanee will now head the provincial education department, which a forensic report revealed had the highest number of employees accused of unethical conduct.
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Eyewitness News
18 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Lesufi announces new HODs in administrative shake-up of Gauteng govt
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has made some administrative changes to his government, with some heads of departments fired for underperformance and failing lifestyle audits. Lesufi announced the appointments of new HODs for a number of departments during a provincial legislature sitting on Thursday morning. The departments of e-gov, infrastructure, sports, health, social development and education now have new HODs. While three heads of department were fired and others resigned from the provincial government, some were moved to other portfolios. Thirty-seven percent of high-ranking officials in the Gauteng government failed their lifestyle audits, which were conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Moreover, an internal assessment found that some heads of department were at the centre of mediocre service delivery and questionable payments The province's ethics advisory committee then recommended that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi crack the whip on incompetent senior officials. "In the last few months, we witnessed displeasing acts of under expenditures to the tune of R1.8 billion, senior members failing lifestyle audits, and underperformance by some departments. We taken a decision to reset government." Albert Chanee will now head the provincial education department, which a forensic report revealed had the highest number of employees accused of unethical conduct.
IOL News
2 days ago
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How the SIU is battling funding challenges and whistle-blower protection
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IOL News
2 days ago
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How South Africans can pay less tax without risking SARS penalties
A simple guide that won't get you in trouble with the tax man Image: Pixabay South Africa has some of the highest tax rates in the world, but there are legal methods taxpayers can use to reduce their tax burden and retain more of their income. With personal income tax rates reaching as high as 45% for individuals earning above R1.8 million, and with the country's tax-to-GDP ratio expected to approach 25% in the coming years, many South Africans are feeling the pressure. However, in an interview with radio station Kaya 959, Roxanna Naidoo, Head of Global Strategy at Latita Africa, said there are other legal ways South Africans can use to pay less tax. "I'm a very strong advocate for tax avoidance and how to ensure that you're optimising your tax incentives legally. And there are quite a few ways," Naidoo said. Naidoo explained that many taxpayers miss out on important deductions simply because they don't fully understand what qualifies. "So, the tax system actually allows you to reduce your liability. And there are a few mechanisms there, but taxpayers aren't aware of that," she said. "We know the most common one is your retirement annuity contributions. They are deductible up to a certain limit. Then the second common one, again, is your medical contributions, but also out-of-pocket medical expenses. People forget about those". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading She also stressed that out-of-pocket medical expenses can also qualify for tax credits, and business-related travel costs may be deductible. "That can also qualify for medical tax credits. Then, if you earn commission or you travel for work, you may also qualify to deduct business travel expenses. That's where keeping those receipts comes in as very important, keeping all of those records" Naidoo also warned taxpayers to be cautious with SARS auto-assessments, which are pre-filled tax returns based on third-party data like employer records and medical aid contributions. "If you accept the assessment without checking, you risk under-declaring income or even losing out on those deductions that you should be getting. "Also, if SARS audits you later, and they do this sometimes up to five years down the line, they'll ask you for that documentation. And if you don't have it, they can then reverse deductions and charge penalties and interest. So, always check your assessment before accepting it and keep those records of everything, just in case" IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
