Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
06 August 2025 | 11:30 CAT

📸 Premier Lesufi’s leadership under scrutiny: Critics say reshuffling officials without accountability only deepens Gauteng’s governance crisis.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has lashed out at Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s recent reshuffle of senior Heads of Departments (HODs), labelling it a “PR stunt” aimed at concealing deeper governance failures.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Gauteng DA Chief Whip Mike Moriarty said, “The same people that are presiding over a government that under-delivers, he now shuffles into new positions instead of removing them altogether.”

Premier Lesufi, who has been in office since June 2023, announced the changes following ongoing criticisms around service delivery, financial mismanagement, and corruption. Moriarty argues that the reshuffle does little to address the root of these issues, noting that many of the individuals moved between departments have previously been implicated in misconduct.

“If someone is underperforming in education, how do you justify moving them to infrastructure development? It’s counterintuitive,” Moriarty questioned, citing concerns about competency and accountability.

He further highlighted Lesufi’s failure to act decisively on the results of lifestyle audits. “The Premier himself admitted that three people failed their lifestyle audits. If misconduct is found, you fire them. But they’re still in the system,” he said.

Transparency, or the lack thereof, remains a key concern. Moriarty revealed that while Lesufi has released several investigation reports, 47 earlier and 39 more recently, they remain heavily redacted. “You don’t know who was implicated, or what action has been taken. That’s not how you fight corruption,” he warned.

The DA says it plans to escalate the matter to the Information Regulator, and potentially the courts, to gain full access to the reports. They are also urging the public to demand accountability. “If the Premier doesn’t change, then it’s time to change the Premier,” Moriarty declared.

As calls grow louder for genuine reform rather than rotation, questions remain about whether Gauteng’s leadership is truly ready to confront its governance crisis or simply reshuffle it into silence.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Mike Moriarty.