- Lesufi’s apology to President Ramaphosa was a mere PR stunt.
- He gave no real explanation or apology to the residents of Gauteng, showing a disconnect and lack of accountability. Despite his lofty promises at both SONA and SOPA.
- The DA calls President Ramaphosa to enforce lifestyle and skills audits on senior officials in Gauteng to prevent further collapse.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi was at pains to explain why Joburg, and Gauteng as the financial hub of South Africa has deteriorated into such a mess under his watch. After President Ramaphosa’s visit to the City on Thursday, all Lesufi could offer was an apology to Ramaphosa with no real explanation.
The truth is that Lesufi and Cllr Dada Morero, Mayor of Johannesburg, are both guilty of embarrassing South Africa on the international stage due to their mismanagement of the City and Gauteng’s decay.
Only now, that international guests see the lawlessness and decay for themselves has Premier Lesufi apologised as a cheap PR stunt. Sadly, Lesufi only woke up from his dream world of a perfect Johannesburg and Gauteng once the President pointed it out – evidently, the daily complaints of Gauteng’s residents are not as important or enough for him.
It’s unfortunate that the apology was not directed to residents, and more so, that it has not been forthcoming from Mayor Dada Morero himself. Perhaps, like his junior counterpart in Johannesburg, Lesufi should have started this term by saying that we should not expect much from him. Then, we could have believed him.
The fact that the Premier only apologised to the President shows the utter disconnect and contempt he has for the residents of Johannesburg specifically and Gauteng at large.
These talk shops, are not going to making the cut.
A visit won’t fix Gauteng, nor Johannesburg – capable, fit for purpose officials in the administration will.
The DA in Johannesburg has written to the Ministers of COGTA and Public Administration to assist with lifestyle and skills audits on Joburg’s senior officials – we still await their compliance with that request. Now, we call on President Ramaphosa to ensure that those lifestyle and skills audits get implemented on senior officials and board members across Gauteng. That is of course only if he wants to avoid our province’s total collapse.