/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that Premier Panyaza Lesufi urgently conclude and release all the Department of Social Development (DSD) corruption-related reports from 2016 to ensure accountability and for consequence management to take place.

Delays in releasing corruption-related reports deny justice for the Gauteng residents whose money has been stolen by corrupt officials. Furthermore, it has severely affected the most vulnerable residents of Gauteng, who are solely dependent on this department for survival.

It is important for Premier Lesufi to release the corruption inquiry initiated by the late DSD MEC Thuli Nkabinde to clarify if the five recently suspended officials are linked to it.

For the past five years, this department has failed to meet its set targets, such as the distribution of dignity packs and failing the vulnerable children of this province.

The DA demands that Premier Lesufi make these reports public to ensure transparency and accountability. Failure to do so will leave the DA with no option but to submit a PAIA application to force the Premier to release all DSD corruption-related reports.

Furthermore, the DA will table questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ascertain why five officials were suspended and why there have been delays in concluding these reports.

Issued by Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development