Lesufi’s office records 85% performance, recovers R4.7m from lifestyle audits

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office achieved 85% of its annual performance targets and spent 99% of its allocated budget during the 2025/26 financial year, while recovering R4.74 million linked to losses identified through lifestyle audits.

This is according to the Office of the Premier’s annual report, which was tabled at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Friday.

The report shows that the office achieved 52 of 61 reported performance indicators during the financial year as it sought to strengthen government coordination, improve service delivery and enhance accountability across the province.

One of the key areas overseen by Lesufi’s office was the Gauteng-wide service delivery response system, through which residents logged 66,926 complaints during the year.

Of these, 66% were resolved.

The largest categories of complaints related to electricity outages, blocked sewer systems, non-functioning streetlights, roads and potholes, and food gardens.

The office said the system was intended to help government respond to residents while also identifying recurring service delivery failures and holding responsible institutions accountable.

Lesufi’s administration also stepped up efforts to address distressed infrastructure projects, with dedicated Technical and Steering Committees established in August 2025 to tackle delays and blockages.

The committees brought together departments, municipalities, implementing agents and other stakeholders to address challenges involving land-use matters, municipal processes, funding and cash-flow constraints.

Four distressed projects were completed and received occupancy certificates during the reporting period, while three others were removed from the distressed projects list and placed on a watch list after improvements in their delivery trajectories.

The annual report also highlights the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen ethics and combat corruption.

All 15 criminal cases identified during the year were reported to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

Lifestyle audits conducted on 41 officials in the Office of the Premier identified R9.83 million in losses, with R4.74 million — about 48% — recovered.

The office said the interventions were aimed at strengthening accountability, protecting public resources and ensuring that officials who acted improperly faced appropriate consequences.

Lesufi’s office also reported exceeding its procurement targets for black people, women, youth and people with disabilities.

Procurement spending on black people reached 89.99%, against a target of 80%, while women accounted for 46.38%, exceeding the 40% target.

Youth procurement stood at 34.98%, against a target of 30%, while spending directed towards people with disabilities reached 8%, against a target of 7%.

The Office of the Premier said its performance should ultimately be measured by its ability to ensure that the different parts of government work together to deliver on the province’s priorities.

It said the 2025/26 financial year had laid a foundation for the implementation of the seventh administration’s priorities as Gauteng continues to grapple with unemployment, poverty, infrastructure backlogs, service delivery failures and the high cost of living.

The office said it would remain focused on improving coordination, addressing blockages to service delivery and ensuring public resources are used effectively and accountably.