ActionSA is not shocked by the revelation that 37% of audited Gauteng accounting officers failed lifestyle audits or were deemed high-risk, with 152 Government officials also conducting business with the State – contravening Section 8(2) of the Public Administration Management Act – which raises serious concerns about the province’s governance and potential corruption.
ActionSA calls on the Premier to act urgently and decisively in dealing with the transgressors and provide a timeline within which this would happen.
The fact that these officials are entrusted with public funds and resources, yet fail to comply with lifestyle audits, is alarming. It’s disturbing that Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s administration has identified such a significant number of high-risk officials, yet no tangible action has been implemented.
Gauteng SCOPA previously warned that the lack of accountability and consequence management aids in perpetuating corruption. Being focused on achieving clean audits – as the provincial government has – does not equate to dealing with systemic corruption. Corruption is prevalent within wasteful, unauthorised and irregular expenditure which appears to be condoned by government’s failure to act against it. It is, therefore, not surprising that the lifestyle audit has revealed such a high rate. ActionSA has, repeatedly, stated that corruption is South Africa’s enemy number 1, and it must be stopped for the country to succeed.
The fact that these issues persist raises questions about the effectiveness of the Gauteng government’s oversight mechanisms. ActionSA demands to know what concrete actions the premier will take against the implicated officials.
We urge the Premier to take swift and decisive action against officials who failed the lifestyle audits.
Criminal charges must be filed, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) must seize those assets which are proceeds of criminal activities. The results of these audits and subsequent actions taken should be made publicly available to restore public trust in government and ensure accountability.
The Gauteng government should prioritize strengthening internal controls and oversight mechanisms to prevent future maladministration. A few weeks ago, ActionSA in the National Assembly introduced the Zero-Tolerance Corruption Bill, aimed at addressing the glaring limitations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), specifically in its definition of corruption and accountability. South Atrica needs a leadership collective with the political will to tight corruption and with this Bill, we have set the tone
As a constructive opposition, ActionSA remains committed to advocating for the better management of public funds across Gauteng. We will be closely monitoring the Premier’s actions against these officials to ensure that the implementation process is carried out with integrity, efficiency, and in the best interest of the residents.
ActionSA Not Shocked by Corruption and Governance Failures, Calls for Urgent Consequence Management
ActionSA is not shocked by the revelation that 37% of audited Gauteng accounting officers failed lifestyle audits or were deemed high-risk, with 152 Government officials also conducting business with the State – contravening Section 8(2) of the Public Administration Management Act – which raises serious concerns about the province’s governance and potential corruption.
ActionSA calls on the Premier to act urgently and decisively in dealing with the transgressors and provide a timeline within which this would happen.
The fact that these officials are entrusted with public funds and resources, yet fail to comply with lifestyle audits, is alarming. It’s disturbing that Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s administration has identified such a significant number of high-risk officials, yet no tangible action has been implemented.
Gauteng SCOPA previously warned that the lack of accountability and consequence management aids in perpetuating corruption. Being focused on achieving clean audits – as the provincial government has – does not equate to dealing with systemic corruption. Corruption is prevalent within wasteful, unauthorised and irregular expenditure which appears to be condoned by government’s failure to act against it. It is, therefore, not surprising that the lifestyle audit has revealed such a high rate. ActionSA has, repeatedly, stated that corruption is South Africa’s enemy number 1, and it must be stopped for the country to succeed.
The fact that these issues persist raises questions about the effectiveness of the Gauteng government’s oversight mechanisms. ActionSA demands to know what concrete actions the premier will take against the implicated officials.
We urge the Premier to take swift and decisive action against officials who failed the lifestyle audits.
Criminal charges must be filed, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) must seize those assets which are proceeds of criminal activities. The results of these audits and subsequent actions taken should be made publicly available to restore public trust in government and ensure accountability.
The Gauteng government should prioritize strengthening internal controls and oversight mechanisms to prevent future maladministration. A few weeks ago, ActionSA in the National Assembly introduced the Zero-Tolerance Corruption Bill, aimed at addressing the glaring limitations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), specifically in its definition of corruption and accountability. South Atrica needs a leadership collective with the political will to tight corruption and with this Bill, we have set the tone
As a constructive opposition, ActionSA remains committed to advocating for the better management of public funds across Gauteng. We will be closely monitoring the Premier’s actions against these officials to ensure that the implementation process is carried out with integrity, efficiency, and in the best interest of the residents.