AfriForum Calls for Immediate Dismissal of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Amid Corruption Allegations and Governance Failures

AfriForum, the South African civil rights organization, has called into question the competence and integrity of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, demanding his immediate dismissal. Despite Lesufi's attempts to paint his first 100 days in office as successful during a recent media conference, AfriForum's review points toward a starkly different reality—a leadership mired in allegations of corruption, marked decline, and an absence of practical strategies for confronting pressing provincial issues.

The most alarming charge that Lesufi currently faces is his implied involvement in a large-scale corruption scandal pertaining to the Gauteng provincial government, involving accusations of fraud and money laundering. AfriForum’s private prosecution unit is representing a whistleblower aiming to hold responsible individuals accountable.

In tandem with these severe allegations, Gauteng's administration under Lesufi is still struggling with substantial irregular expenditure which had reached R43.31 billion by the end of March. Questions of financial mismanagement have been further exacerbated by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, which, as stated in its annual report, awarded a tender for the supply of 124 pistols at an exorbitant cost of R9.7 million, significantly above market prices.

On other fronts, Lesufi acknowledged that the province faces an impending water crisis—"Day Zero." However, critiques suggest Lesufi’s acknowledgment does not come with effective solutions, as experts claim no decisive action has been taken, despite prior warnings and recommendations.

Moreover, the Auditor General’s report reveals extensive financial mismanagement and non-compliance with legislative requirements in Gauteng, alongside the decline of infrastructure. AfriForum accuses Lesufi of failing to establish adequate oversight and accounting mechanisms, as well as neglecting to enforce accountability within municipalities, thereby exacerbating leadership deficiencies at the municipal level.

Ernst van Zyl, Head of Public Relations at AfriForum, addressed the media, branding Lesufi as a "specialist in failure." Van Zyl criticized Lesufi for his perceived preoccupation with political maneuvering over addressing the substantial challenges of mismanagement, corruption, and service delivery.

AfriForum has initiated a petition for those demanding Lesufi’s immediate dismissal, directing concerned citizens to their campaign site at www.lesufimoetwaai.co.za. This move underscores both the organization's rejection of Lesufi’s purported achievements and their dedication to galvanizing public support for tangible leadership accountability in Gauteng.