​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced sweeping changes to the provincial administration with the appointment of new Heads of Department (HODs) following poor performance, failure to pass lifestyle audits, and damning forensic reports.
Delivering the Office of the Premier's Budget Vote Speech at the Gauteng Legislature on Thursday, Lesufi told lawmakers that the departments affected include e-Government, Infrastructure Development, Sports, Arts and Culture, Health, Social Development, and Education.
The shake-up follows recommendations from the Gauteng Ethics Advisory Council and the finalisation of 49 forensic reports by law enforcement agencies.
"In the last few months, we witnessed displeasing acts of under expenditures to the tune of R1.8 billion, SMS members failing lifestyle audits, underperformance by some departments, payment of services that were out of the ordinary, and damming forensic reports.
"We have now taken a firm decision to reset the administration of the provincial government and make the following changes to the Heads of Departments."
To ensure the revitalisation of the Johannesburg CBD, the Johannesburg Presidential Turnaround Team has resumed its work, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Professor Trevor Fowler as his political advisor on this project. 
"We are also pleased that the National Infrastructure Summit held in Cape Town, Gauteng's investment request was approved at R 84 billion so that we can invest in the revitalisation of Gauteng CBDs.  Ekurhuleni municipality was approved for R25 billion for its sewer network," said Lesufi.
To address unemployment in the province, which stands at a staggering 6,1% based on the Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The Premier said the province would reposition the Nasi Ispani Mass Recruitment Programme using 113 schools offering Technical subjects and 8 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges to deliver high-impact, hands-on training in critical trades and public services.
"These schools will serve as decentralised training sites within communities, offering convenience and proximity for participants.
"Participants will be trained on a variety of skills that will assist in maintaining infrastructure and accelerating the delivery of services.
Participants in this repositioned Nasi iSpani Programme will not just be job beneficiaries - they will be Gauteng's new workforce who the Premier said would help by restoring damaged infrastructure in schools, clinics, roads, and parks," added Lesufi.