Lesufi details progress on lifestyle audits, hijacked buildings and the battle to clean up Gauteng
Gauteng Government
Gauteng is the only province to audit all HODs and CEOs, with only two reports still under review according to Lesufi
Crime Prevention Wardens, known as Amapanyapanya, support law enforcement in reclaiming crime-prone areas.
Lesufi says lifestyle audits help detect fraud, prevent corruption, and build public trust.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi faced tough questions in the Gauteng legislature about corruption and crime but remained calm and confident as he laid out the province's progress.
From lifestyle audits for top officials to efforts to tackle hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, Lesufi assured members that the government is taking real steps to promote accountability and improve safety.
Nomathemba Mokgethi of the ANC posed a hard-hitting question to Premier Lesufi:
With reports indicating that 37% of Gauteng's senior officials had failed lifestyle audits, what action would be taken?
Furthermore, did the audits reveal who posed the greatest risk among CEOs, heads of departments (HODs) and supply chain managers – and how exactly do these audits help in promoting ethical governance?
Lesufi clarified that Gauteng is leading the way nationally, being 'the only province to have conducted lifestyle audits for all HODs and CEOs using state institutions.'
'All HODs and CEOs subjected themselves to the process,' Lesufi said, noting that only four reports flagged issues needing further scrutiny.
Two of those cases remain under review by the Special Investigating Unit, and the premier expects finalisation by the end of the quarter.
He refuted the 37% failure figure, suggesting that this information was outdated and misleading.
Regarding risk profiling, Lesufi revealed that the province has now expanded the audit process to include those in supply chain management (SCM), acknowledging that this function often sits at the centre of procurement controversies.
We're now in the middle of lifestyle audits for SCM officials, and once complete, we will compare them with those of HODs.
Panyaza Lesufi
On the importance of these audits, Lesufi listed a range of benefits, from identifying unexplained wealth and potential conflicts of interest to preventing fraud and strengthening internal controls.
'This isn't just about compliance, it's about fostering a culture of ethical leadership and accountability in public service,' he said, praising the province's Anti-Corruption and Ethics Council for its role in the process.
He assured that once the SCM audit concludes, those results too will be made public.
CRIME AND HIJACKED BUILDINGS
Thabang Nkani, MPL from the Umkhonto weSizwe Party shifted the debate to inner-city crime.
He pressed Lesufi on the role of crime prevention wardens (CPWs), colloquially known as Amapanyapanya, in reclaiming hijacked buildings.
'These properties are now crime dens, drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking, and violent crime are rife. What measurable progress have CPWs made, and how are they being held accountable?' Nkani asked.
Lesufi outlined a coordinated approach:
The SA Police Service works closely with metros, district municipalities, and the department of social development. A comprehensive plan to tackle hijacked buildings is already in place.
Panyaza Lesufi
He explained that the police can only intervene once a criminal case is opened—either by the property owner or local authorities. The CPWs, meanwhile, provide operational support, visibility, and manpower during joint operations led by law enforcement.
Addressing professionalisation and oversight, Lesufi said the Gauteng department of community safety has already implemented mechanisms including:
Oversight for CPWs
An internal affairs unit;
Targeted oversight initiatives;
A culture of proactive accountability; and
Alignment with SAPS operational standards.
When it comes to formalising CPW employment, Lesufi confirmed that the process is guided by the Public Service Act of 1994 and Public Service Regulations of 2016. Employment equity will also be a key consideration.
Finally, he assured that the CPW programme is sustainable, with funding secured through the provincial equitable share over the Medium-Term Framework.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jeffrey Kitingan denies involvement in Sabah mining scandal, vows legal action over RM1.78m payout claim
KOTA KINABALU, June 30 — Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has denied claims that he received RM1.78 million linked to a mining scandal in Sabah. He said the allegation, published by a news portal, was baseless and politically motivated by his critics in an attempt to destabilise, smear and topple the current Sabah government, Berita Harian reported today. 'I have never received any funds related to mining applications or any alleged scandal,' he was quoted as saying. He described the allegation as a fabrication by desperate political players trying to interfere with Sabah politics. 'This is a tactic that has been used since the 1960s,' he said. Kitingan, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president, said his party has never applied for any mining licence nor was it involved in any mining activities. He described himself as a supporter of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), adding that mining goes against STAR's conservation stance. Kitingan said he and party members are fully cooperating with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and have submitted detailed statements to aid its investigations. 'This is the price we pay in our struggle to reclaim Sabah's rights,' he was quoted as saying. Kitingan also claimed that earlier statements by whistleblowers had cleared STAR and Parti Bersatu Sabah of wrongdoing. As such, he said he will take all available legal action over what he described as malicious and false accusations. This includes legal action against the news portal that published the report. 'We expect more false allegations and slander. 'It would not be surprising if certain parties try to exploit this to shift Sabah's political landscape,' he was quoted as saying.
News24
13 hours ago
- News24
News24 leads trust in South Africa for the seventh year running
News24 continues to set the standard for trusted journalism in South Africa, receiving the highest score for trust among news brands featured in the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism's Digital News Report 2025, the most comprehensive global analysis of news consumption. In addition to its trust rating of 81%, News24 is also the top-ranked digital news platform in terms of weekly reach, with 58% of the survey respondents accessing News24 weekly and 39% engaging with the platform three times or more per week. Adriaan Basson, editor-in-chief of News24, attributes these achievements to the newsroom's unwavering focus on credibility, engagement, and quality. 'Trust is the cornerstone of everything we do. It's built through consistent investment in accurate, independent journalism that empowers readers to navigate an often-overwhelming world of information. Whether it's uncovering the challenges facing communities – like Sikonathi Mantshantsha's award-winning investigation into the Mogale City sewage crisis – or inspiring South Africans with uplifting journalism through our new Good News section, our approach is rooted in making every story matter. 'This trust is also reflected in our team's incredible achievements, with 10 of our journalists currently shortlisted for the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards. Their work, spanning investigative reporting, hard news, and visual journalism, highlights the depth and diversity of News24's newsroom.' With a committed audience and measurable engagement, News24 leads not just in scale but in fostering deeper connections with its readers. It has built a large subscriber base and delivers significant page views. These accomplishments, combined with investments in fact-checking initiatives such as the full-time Disinformation Desk, reinforce News24's ability to meet the needs of an increasingly critical audience. Minette Ferreira, CEO of Media24 Media, highlights the commercial value of maintaining such a rigorous standard. 'In an age where attention and trust are hard-won, reach alone isn't enough. News24 creates a brand-safe environment where advertisers can align their messaging with high-quality, credible journalism. Trusted media platforms like ours offer unrivalled opportunities for advertisers to engage with audiences thoughtfully and meaningfully, ensuring greater resonance than unregulated platforms. 'News24's continued success reflects the importance of credibility in both journalism and advertising and reaffirms the vital role of trusted media in building a sustainable, reliable environment for audiences and partners.' South Africa's media landscape With a population of 61 million and internet penetration at 76%, South Africa's media environment is highly competitive and increasingly challenged by global digital gatekeepers. Public and commercial broadcasters operate across multiple languages, while print publishers are increasingly adopting an integrated digital approach – often while navigating an uneven playing field where international platform giants capture the lion's share of advertising revenue despite using locally produced content. These overseas technology conglomerates control user data, attention, and distribution channels, yet contribute minimally to the local content ecosystem. Amid these profound market distortions, News24's ability to maintain trust and reach reflects not only its commitment to quality journalism but also its resilience in countering the algorithmic advantages and resource disparities imposed by foreign digital monopolies within an increasingly fragmented landscape.
News24
19 hours ago
- News24
6 arrested after cops confiscate counterfeit goods worth more than R19m in Bloemfontein
Police confiscated over 13 000 counterfeit items worth more than R19 million in Bloemfontein. Most of the goods, including clothing, shoes, bags, and jewellery, were imitations of high-end luxury brands. Six foreign nationals have been arrested. Police arrested six foreign nationals and seized counterfeit goods worth more than R19 million during separate take-down operations in the Bloemfontein CBD. Over the course of two days, police confiscated more than 13 000 counterfeit items that included clothing, shoes, bags, and jewellery, the majority of which were imitations of high-end luxury brands, said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk. 'The operations were led by the National Counterfeit Goods Unit, with support from members of Public Order Policing (POP) in Bloemfontein, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs division, brand protectors, and private security personnel,' said Van Wyk. The search and seizure warrants were done in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act at targeted shops in the Bloemfontein CBD. The six individuals were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act. One of the suspects is also facing an additional charge for resisting arrest. 'The SAPS remains committed to disrupting and dismantling the illegal trade in counterfeit and illicit goods in order to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and support the South African economy,' Van Wyk added.
