Tebogo Msimanga |
The Gauteng Provincial Government has spent R63.8 million on 54 reports to investigate suspected corruption, but not a single one of these reports have been made public despite claims that the recommendations made have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. Democratic Alliance ( DA) Member of the Oversight Committee on the Premier’s Office and Legislature (OCPOL) Jack Bloom said this was revealed by Premier David Makhura in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
“According to Makhura, the investigations were done by 23 forensic and audit companies over the last four years. These companies were chosen from a panel of 35 approved service providers after following an open tender process.”
Bloom added that companies that have scored highly from expensive investigations include Bowmans Gilfillan, which was paid R7.4 million for three investigations, Deloitte was paid R6.1 million for three investigations, and Sekela Xabiso was paid R5.3 million for 5 investigations.
“The burning issue is why none of these costly reports have been made public despite repeated promises that this will be done.”
Bloom further said there needs to be far more transparency on this so that “we can judge for ourselves whether appropriate action has been taken. Why are 520 recommendations still not acted on and why are no MECs held accountable for all this deplorable corruption?”
The DA reiterated that it will continue to press the Premier Makhura to make all investigation reports public and ensure real accountability so that all rotten staff and politicians are removed and face justice in the courts.
