The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng calls on the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, to ensure that only eligible and experienced candidates with no criminal record or no involvement in corruption are selected to serve on the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) Commission of Inquiry.
The commission of inquiry into alleged corruption at the GLB is long overdue. The DA Gauteng has received numerous complaints from business owners regarding the alleged corruption and the time it takes for liquor licences to be approved. For a long time, we have been demanding that MEC Maile should investigate allegations of widespread corruption at the GLB.
Today is the deadline for applications for members of the public to apply to serve on the Commission of Inquiry. We urge MEC Maile to ensure that the process is fair and transparent, and the selection process must be disclosed. Furthermore, there must be a thorough vetting of all the selected candidates to ensure that they are eligible to serve.
Based on previous experience, money is spent on establishing a commission of inquiry in Gauteng, yet they fail to deliver. The DA will closely monitor the selection process, candidates selected and work of the commission of inquiry once work begins.
A DA Gauteng-led provincial government would have immediately acted on any corruption allegations in the GLB. Furthermore, we would have ensured the issuing of liquor licences is done according to the standard rules and regulations and in a fair and transparent manner. Protection will also be offered to whistleblowers with information about alleged corruption. Officials implicated in corruption will face a disciplinary hearing which will be concluded within 90 days.