Lesufi worried about Gauteng paying R30 million for office rental

View from the top of the “Chamber of Mines” building in the central business district of Johannesburg, Gauteng, November 15, 2017.

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Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has asked for a full report from Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo following reports that the provincial government has been paying more than R30 million a month on rent for office space despite owning at least 41 empty buildings.

In his written response to questions in the Gauteng legislature, Mamabolo said the vacated properties do not meet Occupational Health and Safety standards.

Mamabolo said more than R2 billion was spent over five years on rentals.

Lesufi says this is concerning.

He says, “Personally, I was very worried. I really feel that it’s something that you must dive deep there (and) get it, and MEC Mamabolo will just commit to give me that report.”

Lesufi says, “I can assure you, I’ll attend to it if there is corruption, I will take it and if there are people that are abusing the system for the purpose of benefitting, they must know this time they’ve travelled with the wrong person who will attend to it.”