GOOD Statement by Matthew Cook, GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor:
The GOOD Party notes the release of 47 finalised forensic investigation reports by Premier Panyaza Lesufi as part of Gauteng’s anti-corruption drive. This release, which includes cases dating back to 2016 and spanning multiple departments, is a welcome step toward transparency and accountability in the province.
The content of these reports, covering procurement irregularities, ghost employees, theft, abuse of state resources and more, exposes the scale of corruption that has festered within the Gauteng Provincial Government. That 55 criminal cases have been registered, 88 individuals held accountable, and millions recovered is commendable, but it is also an indictment of years of systemic failure.
The GOOD Party has consistently called for full transparency, the protection of whistleblowers, and the urgent prosecution of those who enable and benefit from corruption. The release of these reports cannot be the end of the road. They must trigger real and lasting change. Disciplinary actions and lifestyle audits are important, but criminal prosecutions and financial recovery are non-negotiable.
This release reminds us again of the late Babita Deokaran, a courageous public servant who paid with her life for exposing corruption at Tembisa Hospital. Her murder was not an isolated act of violence, but a consequence of a system that fails to protect the brave few who stand up against wrongdoing.
We therefore urge Premier Lesufi and the Gauteng Provincial Government to:
- Ensure every single recommendation in these reports is implemented.
- Publicly track and update progress on disciplinary and criminal outcomes.
- Protect the identities and safety of whistleblowers implicated in these investigations.
- Expand the release to include all remaining forensic reports without delay.
Accountability cannot be selective or symbolic. It must be sustained, systemic, and rooted in justice, for whistleblowers like Babita Deokaran, for the people of Gauteng, and for the soul of our democracy.
GOOD Manifesto on Vision for the Future: Envisioning a South Africa where all citizens can thrive.
Juice Petite
China: You have two cows. You post their pics all over social media, then sell people fake milk.
Mint Ness
Fun South African Fact: The Union Buildings in Pretoria house the President’s official offices. The site is worth a visit to marvel at a larger-than-life statue of Nelson Mandela as well as the immaculate gardens and grounds.