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The Information Regulator of South Africa‘s preliminary investigation report reveals that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi did not provide adequate reasons for refusing the Democratic Alliance (DA) access to 177 forensic reports from 2016 to date.

This follows the DA Gauteng’s complaint to the Information Regulator South Africa after Premier Lesufi denied our Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application and appeal.

According to the Information Regulator of South Africa’s preliminary investigation findings: “ 3. The internal appeal was lodged with the public body; however, the public body refused to grant access and did not state adequate reasons for the refusal, including the provisions of PAIA (grounds for refusal of access) relied on.”

In addition, the Information Regulator of South Africa also found that the DA had followed the correct procedure when submitting the PAIA application. They stated that the alleged refusal by Premier Lesufi to grant access as well as failure to state adequate reasons for the refusal, including the provisions of PAIA (grounds for refusal of access) relied on necessitates an investigation of this complaint to ascertain if the requester must be given access to records of the public body. The investigation will also determine if the requester complied with all the procedural requirements in PAIA, relating to the request for access to records; further, that access to the records is refused in terms of any ground for refusal contemplated in Chapter 4 of Part 2, following section 11(1) of PAIA.

Premier Lesufi’s refusal to make these reports public was just another attempt to shield corrupt officials and politicians. Premier Lesufi is constantly preaching about how his government is committed to eradicating corruption, yet he continues to hide the alleged corruption information. “We are determined to enhance our prevention, detection, investigation and resolution procedures, emphasising the institutionalisation of clean governance,” said Premier Lesufi during his State of the Province Address in February. He has failed to walk the talk as parts of leaked forensic reports indicate that there is widespread corruption taking place in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG). One whistle-blower has since resorted to leaking parts of a report into alleged corruption at the Gauteng Department of Social Development.

Corruption takes away money that should be used to deliver services to improve the lives of the residents of this province.

The DA Gauteng welcomes the preliminary investigation report findings and will give the Information Regular South Africa the time to complete their investigation.

A DA-led Gauteng-led provincial government would have released all 177 forensic reports without any opposition parties using any mechanisms to request them. We would have immediately implemented all the recommendations made in these reports to demonstrate our commitment to fighting corruption. Transparency is an important principle that the DA will vigorously fight for and ensure government is accountable to the people.

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