Lesufi pours cold water on suggestions that the Nasi iSpani programme is canned

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has slammed claims that the Nasi iSpani programme had been canned, labelling them “baseless, false and malicious”.

This comes after an internal circular advising Green Army Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants - who were hired to work on waste management and greening - that their contracts had expired in May, was widely circulated on social media.

This prompted a statement from the Democratic Alliance wherein the party lamented a “collapse” of the Nasi iSpani programme.

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Lesufi’s spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the circular was “misrepresented”.

“The provincial government has implemented targeted budget reprioritization and effectiveness in line with the national treasury recommendations and provincial government’s desired outcomes, including accommodating personnel costs.

“A standardised formula has been adopted for contract extensions for all Nasi iSpani programme beneficiaries including the Green Army beneficiaries. Premier Lesufi assures all Nasi iSpani beneficiaries that this groundbreaking initiative is still very much intact.”