Thembisa Shologu 
Premier Panyaza Lesufi has voiced his concerns following the troubling revelation by the second instalment of the Biannual State of Ethics Report. 
The report assesses the Gauteng Provincial Government's (GPG) efforts to promote integrity and good governance and combat corruption across its institutions.
Although the report outlined progress, it also revealed criminal activities by public officials conducting business with the state. 
Addressing the media on Thursday following a meeting with the Executive Committee, Lesufi said the report points out significant progress in the work done to reinforce and institutionalise integrity across government agencies, including the investigations led by Chapter 9 and 10 institutions.
"This progress is evident in that all SMS members have met the April 30 deadline for financial disclosures for five consecutive years, maintaining full compliance. This year saw only a slight dip to 99.44% due to two suspended officials and one non-disclosure case under review."
Lesufi said that he has received the final report of the lifestyle audits with outcomes for two Heads of Department (HOD). One was successfully passed, and the other is going for the final round of audit. 
He added that the province's top priority was vetting the senior management, including the three MECs who were appointed last year. 
"The provincial government is at various stages of investigating the cases identified across the Gauteng City Region. 
"I wish to reiterate that, as the GPG, we are looking to establish a mechanism that will help us monitor the implementation of Gauteng Ethics Advisory Council (GEAC) recommendations, including the appointment of three MECs to provide oversight and quarterly reports on the implementation of the recommendations," said the premier.  
Lesufi has welcomed the decision by the Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Dunston Mlambo, to streamline court processes by introducing a new directive and protocol to expand the use of mediation.
He said this shift would clear the backlog and reduce delays as many cases on the Civil Trial roll did not need a judge's intervention. This would also save the state a lot of money.
"This will ensure that only cases requiring judicial attention are scheduled for trial, while others are diverted for resolution through professional mediators.
Up to 85% of these matters are settled on the day of the trial after waiting years to be heard. Others are resolved through default judgments or settlement rolls, taking up valuable court time," he said. 
Lesufi announced that the Gauteng government has allocated R1.5 billion for immediate road repairs and maintenance. 
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was appointed to assist us with mapping potholes in the province. 
According to the latest CSIR report, Gauteng has 5,400 km of road infrastructure, comprising 5,000 km of tarred roads and 1,800 km of gravel roads. Currently, only 35% of this network is in good condition.
"We wish to apologise to all motorists subjected to driving on roads full of potholes. We have a plan and the budget to address this challenge," said Lesufi."
In addition, Premier Lesufi announced the re-launch of the Nasi iSpani Mass Recruitment Programme to take effect in June 2025. 
The project, which aims to provide occupational skills training, job placement, and entrepreneurial support, benefitted over 40,000 youth not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs) over 12 to 36 months.