Note To Editor – These are remarks made by Thoko Mashiane MPL in the Mpumalanga Legislature
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier, Members of the Legislature
I rise on behalf of ActionSA in response to this motion on lifestyle audits.
Let me begin by stating this clearly: ActionSA does not support this motion in its current form.
We fully agree with the principle of lifestyle audits. We believe they are a powerful tool to expose corruption, deter unethical behaviour, and rebuild public trust in government institutions.
However, let’s be honest: a half-truth is still a lie.
You cannot claim to be serious about fighting corruption when you deliberately exclude its most powerful enablers, the politicians.
This motion, as it stands, focuses only on Heads of Departments, Acting HODs, Chief Financial Officers, Acting CFOs, and even the Secretary to the Legislature. While these officials undoubtedly play influential roles in procurement and financial management, they do not act in a vacuum.
Politicians sign off. Politicians benefit. Politicians protect.If this House is truly committed to accountability, then every public figure, including Members of the Executive and Members of the Opposition, must be subject to the same scrutiny. We cannot have one set of rules for administrators and another for political elites.
Furthermore, ActionSA will only support this motion if it is amended to include political figures from across all parties. No one must be exempt.
Honourable Speaker, let me address another critical concern.
This motion is vague and unspecific. How many officials are we talking about? What are the criteria? What is the scope? What will the financial implications be for taxpayers?
You cannot just call for mass audits of dozens, potentially hundreds, of public servants without a clear framework or understanding of what this will cost the people of Mpumalanga.
This takes us down the path of another Zondo Commission-style process, an initiative that spent billions of rands investigating corruption, only for very few meaningful prosecutions to follow.South Africans are tired of commissions that produce paperwork instead of justice.
We cannot repeat the same mistake, calling for action without ensuring the right tools, capacity, and consequences are in place.
Lifestyle audits must be:
Transparent and time bound.
Conducted by independent institutions, such as PAEIDTAU under the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Inclusive of political office-bearers and opposition figures.
And they must lead to real accountability, not just glossy reports collecting dust on government shelves.
And we must also be clear on jurisdiction. This motion suggests that the Premier should include the Secretary of the Legislature in the audits. With respect, the Premier has no such power. The Secretary is appointed by, and reports to, the Legislature, not the Executive.
Including the Secretary violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers and sets a dangerous precedent of overreach. If we want oversight within this House, it must be driven by this House, not the Premier.
Honourable Speaker,
Corruption doesn’t wear a badge that says “official.” It wears the face of anyone, politician or administrator, who abuses public resources for personal gain. If we are truly committed to cleaning up Mpumalanga, we must start in all corners of government and politics, not just the convenient ones.
In the absence of the changes I have outlined, specifically, including politicians, clarifying scope, assessing cost, and ensuring legal soundness, ActionSA cannot support this motion.
We will not lend legitimacy to a process that pretends to be about accountability, while conveniently protecting those who pull the strings.
I thank you.
ActionSA Rejects DA’s Half-Baked Lifestyle Audit Motion That Excludes Politicians
Note To Editor – These are remarks made by Thoko Mashiane MPL in the Mpumalanga Legislature
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Premier, Members of the Legislature
I rise on behalf of ActionSA in response to this motion on lifestyle audits.
Let me begin by stating this clearly: ActionSA does not support this motion in its current form.
We fully agree with the principle of lifestyle audits. We believe they are a powerful tool to expose corruption, deter unethical behaviour, and rebuild public trust in government institutions.
However, let’s be honest: a half-truth is still a lie.
You cannot claim to be serious about fighting corruption when you deliberately exclude its most powerful enablers, the politicians.
This motion, as it stands, focuses only on Heads of Departments, Acting HODs, Chief Financial Officers, Acting CFOs, and even the Secretary to the Legislature. While these officials undoubtedly play influential roles in procurement and financial management, they do not act in a vacuum.
Politicians sign off. Politicians benefit. Politicians protect.If this House is truly committed to accountability, then every public figure, including Members of the Executive and Members of the Opposition, must be subject to the same scrutiny. We cannot have one set of rules for administrators and another for political elites.
Furthermore, ActionSA will only support this motion if it is amended to include political figures from across all parties. No one must be exempt.
Honourable Speaker, let me address another critical concern.
This motion is vague and unspecific. How many officials are we talking about? What are the criteria? What is the scope? What will the financial implications be for taxpayers?
You cannot just call for mass audits of dozens, potentially hundreds, of public servants without a clear framework or understanding of what this will cost the people of Mpumalanga.
This takes us down the path of another Zondo Commission-style process, an initiative that spent billions of rands investigating corruption, only for very few meaningful prosecutions to follow.South Africans are tired of commissions that produce paperwork instead of justice.
We cannot repeat the same mistake, calling for action without ensuring the right tools, capacity, and consequences are in place.
Lifestyle audits must be:
And we must also be clear on jurisdiction. This motion suggests that the Premier should include the Secretary of the Legislature in the audits. With respect, the Premier has no such power. The Secretary is appointed by, and reports to, the Legislature, not the Executive.
Including the Secretary violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers and sets a dangerous precedent of overreach. If we want oversight within this House, it must be driven by this House, not the Premier.
Honourable Speaker,
Corruption doesn’t wear a badge that says “official.” It wears the face of anyone, politician or administrator, who abuses public resources for personal gain. If we are truly committed to cleaning up Mpumalanga, we must start in all corners of government and politics, not just the convenient ones.
In the absence of the changes I have outlined, specifically, including politicians, clarifying scope, assessing cost, and ensuring legal soundness, ActionSA cannot support this motion.
We will not lend legitimacy to a process that pretends to be about accountability, while conveniently protecting those who pull the strings.
I thank you.