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The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng demands accountability from Politicians involved in decision-making to continue with the Anglo Gold Ashanti Hospital leasing and refurbishment contracts worth over R600 million declared invalid and unlawful by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The DA believes that officials could not have made these critical decisions without Politicians who are the Political Principals of the departments concerned.

“There is no way that the political principals of the Department of Health, Infrastructure Development, Premier and Leader of Government Business were not aware of these lease and refurbishment contracts. The officials cannot make such decisions without notifying them or considering their views. We demand that the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi disclose the minutes and the recording of the meeting where the decision was made and the names of those present during the meeting,” says Solly Msimanga MPL, DA Gauteng Leader of the Official Opposition.

Furthermore, Premier Lesufi has misled the house sitting at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) stating that he received a letter from the SIU on the progress of the investigation. Instead of handing us the letter from the SIU, he gave us a media statement which is in anyway public knowledge.

The media release highlights that the Anglo Gold Ashanti Hospital leasing and refurbishment contracts worth over R600 million are declared invalid and unlawful.

While five officials have been dismissed how about the politicians involved? Premier Lesufi must not shield his comrades and disclose the minutes and sound recordings of the meeting where the decision was made.

We will continue to monitor the progress of the SIU in instituting civil action in the Special Tribunal or the High Court and the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. We will continue to use all the mechanisms at our disposal to force Premier Lesufi to disclose the minutes and sound recordings of the meeting and submit them to SIU for consideration.

A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government will ensure transparency and accountability in promoting good governance. We will not shield any politician at the expense of taxpayer money.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - DA Gauteng Leader of the Official Opposition