Arrested kingpins and service delivery: Lesufi lists Gauteng successes

Premier Panyaza Lesufi gave an update on Gauteng’s priority programmes on Thursday morning.

Almost a year into Gauteng’s government of provincial unity, Lesufi listed the successes achieved over the past several months.

He said his administration’s key objectives were three-fold: focusing on economic growth, reducing crime and “strengthening the capacity of the state”.

Roughly 30% of key criminals arrested

The premier’s State of the Province Address trumpeted an investment conference that would kickstart economic revitalisation.

Lesufi said on Thursday that the conference had generated R320 billion worth of pledged commitments.

“We are now focused on converting these pledges into tangible job opportunities for our people,” said the premier.

In combating crime, Lesufi claimed authorities have arrested almost one-third of the kingpins associated with criminal activity in the province.

 “We have apprehended over 150 of the nearly 450 criminals identified as major contributors to crime in the province,” said Lesufi, thanking police officials.

“The number of kidnappings, cash-in-transit heists has decreased. Sadly, reported cases of Gender Based violence and femicide are not decreasing as we expect them to,” the premier conceded.

Service delivery

Gauteng’s municipalities have been ravaged by service delivery problems, notably water shortages and the deterioration of the road network.

Lesufi announced that R1.5 billion has been allocated for immediate road repairs and maintenance, while R350 million is still needed to repair broken traffic signals in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

“By the end of 2025, we will take over the coordination of road maintenance programs currently managed by provinces and municipalities to ensure more efficient service delivery,” he stated.

The administration is also focused on recovering hijacked buildings in Johannesburg CBD, with Lesufi claiming 12 illegally occupied buildings have been recovered so far.

Compliance of staff

Lesufi’s opposition in the provincial legislature have been calling for the results of lifestyle and compliance audits on officials to be made public.

Without revealing any specifics, the premier provided progress on vetting efforts within the administration.

“As of October 2024, the provincial government had 750 senior managers, 732 of whom were either already vetted or in the process of achieving a 98% compliance rate.

“We urgently address the remaining 17 cases where paperwork has not been submitted.

“I have received the final report of the lifestyle audits with outcomes for two Heads of Department (HOD). One HOD has successfully passed the audit, and the other one will be going for the final round of audit.”

“There are three MECs who are still to conclude the lifestyle audits as they were appointed into the Executive Council in this administration,” Lesufi stated.

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