The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi make the lifestyle audits public if he is serious about clamping down on corruption.
During his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA), the Premier said the lifestyle audits on all heads of departments and CEOs of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) agencies have been completed.
He said he has received a report from the Special Investigative Unit (SIU), and in the coming weeks he will meet with the SIU to get the full brief so that the matter can be finalised and appropriate actions taken where required.
For a long time now, we have been told about lifestyle audits that are near completion, yet year in and year out, we never receive the results of these audits.
If Premier Lesufi has nothing to hide or is not shielding anyone, he must do the right thing to make the lifestyle audits public.
Enough with delays, as this will hamper the growth of this province’s economy. Investors need to be reassured that the GPG is committed to creating a conducive environment for the economy to grow and job creation to take place.
Furthermore, where MECs and officials who have been subjected to lifestyle audits are found to be living beyond their means, Premier Lesufi must outline what action will be taken against them.
We cannot have a situation where officials and MECs, despite not passing the lifestyle audit, are kept in their positions because of cadre deployment.
In addition, the performance agreements that MECs will be signing must also be made public so that they can be held accountable.
A DA government will conduct regular lifestyle audits and make the results of the audit public. Furthermore, only officials and MECs fit for duty will be appointed. By doing so, the residents of this province will receive the service delivery they deserve.