‘The fight is far from over’: Lesufi acknowledges Gauteng crime, governance and service-delivery challenges - IOL

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has defended the province’s progress on crime, infrastructure, healthcare and governance, while acknowledging that serious failures in service delivery, financial management and public safety continue to confront the province.

Presenting the Gauteng Provincial Government’s latest progress report on Wednesday, Lesufi said the province could point to measurable gains but was “far from complete” in its efforts to build a safer, better-governed Gauteng.

“While we welcome this progress, we remain mindful that the fight against crime is far from over,” Lesufi said.

The province recorded a 3% decline in contact crime during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, with reductions in murder, sexual offences and aggravated robberies.

Lesufi also highlighted arrests and the recovery of firearms, drugs, stolen vehicles and counterfeit goods through Operation Shanela. But he acknowledged that the figures did not tell the full story.

“The increases in attempted murder and assault-related crimes remind us that violence remains a serious challenge requiring sustained intervention.”

Lesufi said the provincial government was also tightening its focus on officials and departments responsible for managing public resources.

More than 3 600 officials responsible for supply-chain management and finance functions have submitted lifestyle-audit forms. In comparison, 20 officials from the Office of the Premier and Gauteng CoGTA have been referred to the Special Investigating Unit for further investigation.

“I have requested that the SIU conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into the lifestyles of 14 officials from the Office of the Premier… and six officials from Gauteng COGTA,” Lesufi said.

The province is also dealing with the findings of a forensic investigation into its leasing arrangements, which identified more than R558 million in irregular expenditure.

“I have noted the findings of the report and will ensure that all its recommendations are implemented as a matter of priority.”

Governance challenges come alongside ongoing pressure on municipalities, particularly around water and finances.

Lesufi said the province had made progress in stabilising local government, maintaining council stability across all 11 municipalities and achieving 96% expenditure of its Municipal Infrastructure Grant by the end of June.

But he acknowledged that “some municipalities remain under financial pressure”.

Water disruptions have also continued to affect communities, with recent power failures at critical infrastructure contributing to shortages in parts of Gauteng.

The province has established a coordinated response involving municipalities, Rand Water, the Department of Water and Sanitation and other stakeholders, including emergency repairs, tankering and efforts to strengthen electricity resilience at pumping infrastructure.

More than R2 billion has been invested in social infrastructure projects during the current financial year, while five previously delayed schools have been completed.

The province also recorded 24 390 new Lenacapavir initiations between June and August as part of its HIV-prevention programme.

On the economy, Lesufi said Gauteng had secured R200 billion in new private investment pledges at its April investment conference, taking total investment pledges over the past two years to more than R500 billion.

“Ultimately, these efforts are about ensuring that economic growth translates into jobs, opportunities and better livelihoods for the people of Gauteng,” he said.