Lesufi suspends officials over financial misconduct probe, defends delay on Health HoD's lifestyle audit

Key topics:Community safety HoD, CFO benched after forensic probePremier pledges integrity but refuses to bow to pressureDA slams delays in unresolved health HoD lifestyle auditSign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..By Kerry Lanaghan.Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has placed two senior officials in the provincial department of community safety on precautionary suspension following a forensic probe into alleged financial misconduct, while resisting calls to act against another top official pending the outcome of a lifestyle audit.As reported by SowetanLIVE, Lesufi confirmed on Tuesday that the community safety head of department (HoD), Nontsikelelo Sisulu and chief financial officer (CFO), Mduduzi Malope, have both been suspended with immediate effect. The decision follows the finalisation of an investigation by the premier's provincial forensic audit unit, one of 39 forensic reports Lesufi released publicly over the weekend.He said that acting appointments will be made to ensure no disruption to service delivery. "These suspensions are a necessary step to protect the integrity of the investigation and the department. It is a precautionary measure to allow space for a fair and unbiased process," Lesufi explained.He emphasised his administration's commitment to clean governance and ethical conduct. "Corruption and misconduct have no place here. We are determined to restore public trust by upholding the highest standards of integrity," he said, adding that the provincial government would continue to take proactive and corrective measures to ensure public funds are used responsibly.However, Lesufi faced a grilling from opposition benches in the Gauteng legislature regarding the fate of Health HoD Lesiba Malotana, who is under a separate lifestyle audit. DA MPL Jack Bloom accused the Premier of shielding Malotana and dragging his feet. "Everybody else's lifestyle audits are complete. Why is his outstanding? You know this fellow has received political protection from the highest level, and you are powerless to remove him." Bloom said. Lesufi rejected the accusation, saying decisions would not be made based on "shouting and screaming". He insisted he would only act once verified information is available. "I act on evidence. The evidence I have is insufficient, and the institution conducting the lifestyle audits has requested an extension. I've granted that extension. When they conclude the report, I'll be in a position to take action," he said.The premier warned against pressure tactics. "If the DA wants me to act on the basis of their anger, government doesn't function that way. If the DA has evidence of corruption or wrongdoing by the HoD, I'm asking them now: give it to me so that I can act. I'm not going to act on hearsay and plunge this government into a crisis just to please your 'public pleasure,' he said. Lesufi also brushed off suggestions that political forces other than the ANC influenced his decisions, stating, "There's only one formation that controls me - and that formation is the ANC."The suspensions mark the latest step in Lesufi's ongoing drive to root out corruption in Gauteng's public service. However, critics argue that progress will only be measured by whether suspensions are followed swiftly by prosecution and consequence management rather than internal reshuffles.

Lesufi suspends officials over financial misconduct probe, defends delay on Health HoD's lifestyle audit

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