Lesufi shakes up Gauteng: HODs axed, reshuffled amid R1.8bn underspend and damning forensic reports

Key topics:Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reshuffled and removed several department heads due to approximately R1.8 billion in budget underspending and missed service delivery targets.The changes coincide with the release of new forensic investigation reports detailing serious offenses and improper behavior, including fraud and irregular appointments, across various departments like Agriculture, Education, and Health.The reshuffle included new appointments for E-government, Infrastructure Development, and Economic Development, along with several acting heads, while recruitment for permanent positions in Community Safety and Health is ongoing..Sign 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 Patrick Kidd.Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced on Sunday, 3 August 2025, a significant reshuffle and removal of several heads of department (HODs), coinciding with the release of a new batch of forensic investigation reports. This decision follows a damning report that revealed approximately R1.8 billion in budget underspending and a failure by departments to meet crucial service delivery performance targets.Premier Lesufi emphasised the provincial government's "serious exception" to missed performance targets, stating that with ongoing service delivery challenges, departments cannot afford to underperform. He also noted that audit outcomes indicated some departments were not performing optimally, leading to the decision to "reshuffle and reset" or remove HODs.Forensic reports uncover widespread misconductThe newly released forensic reports detail investigations into serious offences and improper behaviour across multiple government departments. Finalised by the provincial forensic audit unit in the premier's office, these reports are part of Gauteng's broader commitment to transparent and accountable governance. This current batch follows an earlier disclosure of 47 reports on 24 June, which exposed issues such as fraud, ghost employees, inflated invoices, and irregular appointments. Several cases have been referred to law enforcement, and three senior officials have failed lifestyle audits.The reports cover a wide range of misconduct, from criminal acts to minor breaches of conduct, all of which the Premier stated are taken seriously. Specific departments mentioned as subjects of these investigations include:Department of Agriculture (10 reports)Education Department (7 reports)Gauteng Health (4 reports)Roads and Transport DepartmentEconomic Development DepartmentTourism DepartmentsSignificant changes in departmental leadershipThe reshuffle, effective 1 August, saw new appointments and changes in several key positions:Masabata Mutlaneng moved from Infrastructure to become the new HOD for E-government.Rufus Mmutlana transitioned from Education to head Infrastructure Development.Thulani Mdadane was retained as HOD for Transport, though the post is slated to be advertised.Motlatjo Moholwa was appointed the new HOD for the Gauteng Department of Economic Development. Moholwa brings extensive public service experience, having served as head of economic research and chief economist in the City of Johannesburg, lead economist for Land Bank, and deputy director-general in the Mpumalanga and Gauteng economic development departments.Premier Lesufi also appointed several acting HODs:Matthew Sathekge for Environment.Mpho Nawa for Sports, Arts, Culture & Recreation.Phumla Sekhonyane for Social Development.Albert Chaane for Education.Announcements regarding the Community Safety and Health department heads are still pending. The Premier confirmed that the recruitment process for permanent appointments for these roles is underway.Furthermore, several HODs were retained in their positions:Ncumisa Mnyani for Treasury.Darion Barclay for Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (COGTA).Puleng Gadebe-Mabaso for Human Settlements.Khululekile Mase for Agriculture & Rural Development.Reports from May indicated that Premier Lesufi was expected to dismiss a "significant" number of provincial heads. Still, immediate action was delayed for various reasons, including avoiding disrupting the auditor-general's work.Broader provincial initiatives and updatesIn addition to the departmental changes, Premier Lesufi also shared other provincial updates:He, along with provincial cabinet members and executive mayors, will conduct walkabout inspections on infrastructure.The province is set to host the LIV Golf tournament in 2026.On 25 July, the Premier received reports detailing the provincial state of readiness for the G20 summit, the state of preparedness for Tshwane and Johannesburg ahead of the Urban 20, the state of Gauteng's municipal finances, the state of local government performance regarding service delivery measures, crime prevention, an update on investigations into allegations of misconduct in addressing sinkholes, and a framework for municipal plans to deal with indigent residents.

Lesufi shakes up Gauteng: HODs axed, reshuffled amid R1.8bn underspend and damning forensic reports

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