GOOD Statement by Matthew Cook ,
GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor
10 February 2025
The GOOD Party is alarmed by the alleged misappropriation of R600 million by the Gauteng government, meant to assist the province’s indigent and vulnerable citizens.
The financial state of South Africa’s most lucrative provincial government has once again been laid bare by the forensic reports into more than R607 million wasteful expenditure of the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD).
A host of alleged financial misconduct, fraud and corruption allegations hang over the heads of senior officials, relating to the misappropriation of funds intended for indigent and vulnerable individuals in the province. While hundreds of deserving Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) have been left to fend for themselves despite having existing service-level agreements and contracts, thousands of “beneficiaries” of food parcels were not eligible for the assistance they received.
Funding that was intended to provide foodbanks, school uniforms, dignity packs inclusive of sanitary towels for schoolgirls and young women was used to fund two NPOs which were selected in contravention of the Public Finance and Management Act processes.
Similar allegations are apparent in the other relief projects where funds were misappropriated. Three separate court orders regarding payment of the NPOs have been ignored by the department, with the only acknowledgement of their plight being an apology from the Premier and MEC Faith Mazibuko in their affidavits.
This is the next in a long list of financial mismanagement allegations against Panyaza Lesufi’s government, dating back to Covid-19 era corruption and the horrifying case of whistleblower Babita Deokaran who was gunned down for her brave stand against corruption.
The five officials which Bowmans law firm recommended be charged for their role in the misappropriated funds all still work for the provincial government, indicating how the culture of impunity permeates through the administration.
The GOOD Party demands that the implicated officials be removed from their positions and charges be brought against them. The ANC’s commitment to its renewal is violated by such cases of brazen financial impropriety, and the people who suffer are the most vulnerable amongst us.
We cannot let our government continue to fail at its most basic responsibility, protecting those unable to protect themselves from poverty and the scourge it creates.
Media Enquiries:
Matthew Cook, GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor
Cell: 074 359 8237
Email: matthewc@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za