DA to refer Lesufi's Nasi iSpani programme to the Public Protector

7 August 2024

The DA will refer the management of the Nasi iSpani programme and Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s irresponsible promises to the Public Protector for investigation.

This comes after thirty-two thousand teacher assistants who were employed on a contractual basis through the Nasi iSpani programme are now left destitute after Premier Lesufi could not keep his promises towards them.

The recruits were originally appointed on a one-year contract but in February 2024 Lesufi promised a twelve-month extension of these contracts. However, the recruits have been informed that their contracts have been terminated with immediate effect.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) warned from the start that Lesufi’s Nasi iSpani programme was nothing more than electioneering for the ANC at taxpayers’ expense. This has now been proven correct and Lesufi’s broken promises has left 32 000 teacher assistants with shattered dreams. His electioneering leaves a wake of broken dreams after broken promises.

Governing a province like Gauteng requires responsible leadership and Lesufi’s irresponsible actions are causing more problems than solutions for the provincial government. Government cannot be managed according to whims of opportunism and Lesufi must account for the abuse of taxpayers’ money for his failed Nasi iSpani programme.

A DA government will not make irresponsible promises in the interest of political expediency and will keep Lesufi and his minority government to account for their failures.

Issued by Sergio Isa Dos Santos, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, 7 August 2024