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The civil rights organisation AfriForum today urged the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged corruption claims at the Gauteng Legislature.

This follows after an agreement negotiated by the Gauteng Legislature and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) was met which entails that 32 employees will face lesser charges of “negligence” rather than the previous allegations of fraud and corruption during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The corruption claims include employees’ fraudulent travel allowance claims and other wasteful expenditure totalling more than R335 000. The agreement will see the employees pay back the money over a period of 12 months. 

In a letter to Lesufi AfriForum requests an independent inquiry, including: 

Accountability: Ensure any officials or Members of the Provincial Government who misappropriated funds are held completely responsible for the charges against them including the allegations of corruption.

Transparency: Complete disclosure on the process to lower fraud charges to negligence and how this complies with the Auditor-General’s instructions.

Prevention of future abuse: Taking the necessary steps to prevent future mismanagement and combat fruitless and wasteful expenditure. 

AfriForum highlights that the decision to only charge these employees with lesser charges of negligence not only breaches public trust but also contradicts President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitments made in the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Earlier this year Ramaphosa pledged to crack down on and penalise corrupt activities in both the public and private sectors which must be met with tangible actions. Allowing minor disciplinary responses to serious corruption allegations, particularly within government, undermines these efforts.

South Africa’s rank on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has decreased significantly, with a score of 41 out of 100 in 2023, the lowest ever recorded for the country, placing it 72nd out of 180 countries. This reflects an alarming trend of unrestrained corruption, which harms economic progress and public trust.

While government attempts such as the formation of the Investigating Directorate within the National Prosecuting Authority have resulted in some convictions, the general absence of comprehensive investigations creates crucial gaps in the battle against widespread corruption.

Charné Mostert, AfriForum Campaign Officer on Corruption, says that the Gauteng Legislature’s response to suspected Covid-19 corruption and “lesser charges” are like weak spiderwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through. 

“Downgrading fraud and corruptions allegations against 32 employees to lesser charges of ‘negligence’ avoids the warranted harsher consequences. The Auditor-General called for complete responsibility and the recovery of misappropriated funds, yet genuine justice remains out of grasp.

AfriForum demands that Lesufi conduct a fair and comprehensive inquiry since South Africans need a government that holds everyone accountable, not just a few.”

Issued by AfriForum