Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
15 August 2024 | 08:00 CAT
2 min read

In his second State of the Province Address for the year 2024 under the new Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted achievements, including the elimination of e-tolls and the resolution of load shedding issues. Lesufi also announced that lifestyle audits on government heads have been completed, with a report from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) expected soon.

“Last time when we met like this, load shedding was a headache, but that headache is now gone. We committed to doing away with e-tolls. Today, e-tolls are gone,” Lesufi said.

DA’s Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga, speaking to Radio Islam cautioned that despite the scrapping of e-tolls, the province still faces significant financial challenges. He warned that Gauteng will need to address a nearly 3-billion rand debt by the end of September, which may result in funds being diverted from essential services like human settlements, social development, and infrastructure projects.

Solly Msimanga suggests that Lesufi is taking credit for achievements that are unrelated to his own actions.

“Things have to do with him haven’t really been done. The municipality is left to their own devices. He claims victory for things that he has nothing to do with,” he said.

Msimanga has also expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding lifestyle audits. He pointed out that Lesufi’s recent address only mentioned audits on government officials, not the politicians’ audits that were promised to be made public. He calls for clarity on when these promised lifestyle audits of politicians will be released.

“People of Gauteng are expected to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and we about to turn the corner, unfortunately we are not,” said Msimanga.

Lesufi, in his address, stressed ongoing commitments to job creation, combating corruption and crime, and enhancing infrastructure.

Msimanga criticised the restructuring of Gauteng departments, saying it hasn’t followed legal procedures. He’s concerned about how the changes are being managed and stresses that many issues need to be resolved to meet legal standards.

“We have now looked at the budget that has been put forward; it doesn’t invoke confidence, and we are going to see more challenges that will be coming out of this. Certain entities won’t be able to fulfil their mandates,” he added.

Lesufi expressed confidence in the Government of Provincial Unity’s ability to advance progress and enhance the province’s economy and public services. However, Msimanga voiced scepticism about Lesufi’s plans, lacking faith in their effectiveness.

“We are introducing one thing, but at the same time not taking care of the problem that is introducing that particular problem. We really don’t have the confidence that the promises made to the people of Gauteng will actually be achieved going forward,” he said.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Solly Msimanga, DA’s Gauteng leader, here.