Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is playing musical chairs by redeploying high-ranking officials who were placed on precautionary suspension. Moving officials who have a cloud hanging over their heads is not solving the problems faced by the province, which is a lack of service delivery and corruption.
The following officials were placed on precautionary suspension for 60 days:
- Lesiba Arnold Malotana – suspended Head of Department (HOD)for the Gauteng Health Department
- Nontsikelelo Sisulu -suspended HOD for Community Safety
- Mduduzi Malope- suspended Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Community Safety
The Premier has provided no update on whether disciplinary action has been taken against these officials and has instead moved them to other departments that provide critical services to the province.
While the DA is relieved that the suspended HOD for Health will not be returning to the department, the shift to the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is of concern. This department is already failing on its core mandate to assist municipalities in delivering services to the residents of this province. The only municipality that can do so seamlessly is the DA-led Midvaal Local Municipality.
Furthermore, the HOD for Community Safety will be deployed to the Premier’s office to assist with service delivery priorities, and the CFO for Community Safety will be deployed to the Gauteng Department of Environment to help with the financial administration process.
In addition, three undisclosed officials failed the lifestyle audits, and one tends to wonder if these are the officials who had failed their lifestyle audits.
Premier Lesufi must disclose what these officials may have on him that is making him reward them with senior positions again within the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng demands that Premier Lesufi immediately explain to the residents of this province what consequences management took against these officials and the outcome of any disciplinary action.
Moving officials from one department to another is not stamping out corruption; it is sending a message that if you are corrupt, no action will be taken. The DA Gauteng will continue to push for speedy disciplinary action to be taken against all three officials who have been placed on suspension.
The DA Gauteng will be tabling further questions to the Premier through the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to determine the reasons for redeploying the implicated officials. We will also determine why no formal action has been taken against any of the officials who have been moved to new departments.
A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would immediately suspend and take disciplinary action against any official who is accused of misconduct in the GPG. Yes, this can be done!