Lesufi wants probe into Gauteng govt's R34m monthly expenditure on office rentals completed in 2 months
The investigation was launched following a Sunday Times report revealing that the Gauteng government spends a staggering R34 million on renting private office space for its head offices.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is directly intervening to try and resolve the funding crisis at the Department of Social Development. Picture: SA government
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has given investigators two months to wrap up a probe into the provincial government's R34 million monthly expenditure on office rentals.
The investigation was launched following a Sunday Times report revealing that the Gauteng government spends a staggering R34 million on renting private office space for its head offices.
Lesufi wants the probe to uncover whether there could be irregularities or corrupt practices in the leasing of office space.
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Although the Gauteng government owns 41 vacant buildings across the province, it continues to spend millions renting office space from private companies.
The Premier admitted that the R34 million spent on rent was excessive and emphasised the importance of reducing this financial burden.
"This afternoon, I'm going to release the terms of reference to investigate this R34 million immediately, and I've told the director-general that I need this report in two months so that we can clear this matter."
Lesufi said that most of the province's vacant buildings fell under the Kopanong precinct.
This is a block in the inner city of Johannesburg where the government wants to house all its entities.