Gauteng Finance MEC, Lebogang Maile, has strongly rejected the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) recent allegations of corruption within the provincial government, calling them “politically motivated” and unsupported by evidence. The DA has accused the ANC-led Gauteng Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) of withholding crucial corruption reports. However, Maile dismissed these claims as “desperate attempts” to regain relevance after the DA lost control of several key municipalities in Gauteng. He criticized the DA for resorting to baseless accusations instead of providing concrete proof of corruption.
Maile further criticized the DA for acting “like spoilt brats” who feel entitled to everything. He pointed out that the DA’s claims were particularly desperate given their political losses in municipalities such as Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni. He also noted that the DA had lost some of its allies, including the African Christian Democratic Party, which contributed to their declining influence. Despite these criticisms, Maile remains confident that the GPU will continue to progress undeterred by political distractions.
On the economic front, Maile outlined the ongoing efforts of the GPU to stimulate job creation and support small businesses. He highlighted various initiatives, including partnerships with the Department of Labour and Setas, aimed at creating mass employment opportunities. Maile emphasized that skills development across various sectors was a key priority, alongside supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), which are vital to the province’s economic growth.
Maile also discussed the need for enhanced infrastructure investment to drive economic growth. He pointed out that while financial constraints exist, funding infrastructure projects could lead to significant economic ripple effects, particularly benefiting SMMEs. Additionally, Maile plans to use Gauteng’s R37 billion public procurement budgets to support marginalized groups, including women, youth, and people with disabilities. By engaging with township communities, he aims to ensure that policy-making reflects the needs and challenges of these areas, fostering inclusive growth across the province.
