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The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that Premier Panyaza Lesufi investigate Gauteng’s R63,58 billion irregular expenditure for the 2025/2026 financial year to determine how much may be connected to corruption. Irregular expenditure opens the door to corruption. Officials found guilty of flouting the regulations must be held to account.

The Auditor-General's (AG) audit of the Gauteng government for the 2025/2026 financial year has highlighted that irregular expenditure ballooned to an unprecedented R63,58 billion from R54,58 billion at the beginning of the year. Irregular expenditure occurs when government officials fail to follow the law and proper procedures when procuring needed goods and services. These failures weaken safeguards meant to protect public money from abuse.

The Department of Health’s irregular expenditure balance rose by R3,79 billion, Education’s by R3,04 billion and Human Settlements’ by R955,5 million during the year.

Of the 524 departmental cases of irregularity, 410 remain under investigation or assessment. Only 67 have completed the process of determining responsibility and consequences, with some cases dating back to the 2011/2012 financial year. At the same time, the AG’s audit highlights a regression in audit outcomes, with the number of departments achieving clean audits dropping from eight to five. Problems in Health and Social Development were serious enough for auditors to qualify their financial statements.

Lesufi and his MECs have failed to provide the necessary oversight and consequence management to prevent this deterioration in audit outcomes. The Premier has failed to ensure that his administration has the capacity and expertise to enforce the AG’s recommendations.

Meanwhile, e-toll payments place further pressure on money needed to keep services running. Treasury warned in March 2025 that Gauteng could face a cash shortfall during the 2025/2026 financial year, largely because of e-toll commitments and unpaid bills. Diminished service delivery is the result.

It is high time that Lesufi discloses exactly how much cash reserves remain and how essential services will be protected.

Gauteng residents deserve an honest government and dependable services. Only the DA can stop the chaos in this province by providing competent leadership that protects residents’ money.

Residents cannot live on excuses while their government’s finances deteriorate.

Issued by DA Gauteng Spokesperson for the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) Alan Fuchs