Panyaza Lesufi to ‘teach AfriForum and FF Plus a lesson’

Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi is planning to sue AfriForum and FF Plus for defamation of character after both the FF Plus and AfriForum had accused Lesufi of being corrupt, which led to a criminal case being opened against the MEC on May 5 2020 by the lobby group.

On Wednesday, 30 June, the office of the Public Protector released 16 investigative reports and one of them cleared Lesufi’s name for his alleged role in the awarding of a R30 million tender to an IT and cyber security company In2IT, which involved the Gauteng provincial government.

PUBLIC PROTECTOR REPORT CLEARS PANYAZA LESUFI OF WRONGDOING

During the briefing, Deputy Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka said the allegations that were levelled against Lesufi that he unduly influenced the awarding of the R30 million tender was found to be unsubstantiated.

“There is no evidence indicating that Lesufi was involved in any procurement process of the SOC ( Security Operations Centre) tender or that he disregarded provisions of the code of conduct of the members of the provincial executive council.

“To remedy this, the provincial MEC of finance and e-government must ensure that Cyril Baloyi, the departmental head, conducts training in respect of all the executive officials of e-gov and officials involved in supply chain processes. This must happen within 30 working days of the report.”

Deputy Public Protector

LESUFI TO SUE AFRIFORUM AND FFPLUS

The MEC said the investigation had taken long and impacted on his reputation through negative media reports.

“I am not going to leave this lying even AfriForum has opened a case against me on this matter. My name is even on their website,” the MEC told IOL.

“The mere fact the public protector could not find anything, it was something that could have been tested overnight because I didn’t know there was a tender in that department, I didn’t speak to the MEC, I don’t know the head of department and I don’t know the chief financial officer in that department. Why drag my name in that?”

Lesufi said he would teach AfriForum and FF Plus a lesson. He said he was not interested in “their money”, and would make sure they understood that they were now living in a democratic country.

READ: Panyaza Lesufi in hot water – as ‘secret tender fraud recording’ leaked