Provincial State Bank and Pharmacy: another failed promise by Premier Lesufi

4 July 2023

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is all talk and no action, to the detriment of the residents of this province, who are still waiting for an update about the progress of the Provincial State Bank and Pharmacy.

During his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Lesufi announced that a Provincial State Bank and Pharmacy would be established.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) tabled questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to the MEC for Finance, Jacob Mamabolo, regarding the progress in establishing a Provincial State Bank and Pharmacy.

However, the MEC has asked for an extension to reply to our questions until 30 June 2023. This deadline has come and gone, and we are still waiting for the reply to our questions.

The delay in responding to the DA’s questions is a clear indication that this is one of many failed promises made by this current government to the residents of Gauteng.

This also indicates that Premier Lesufi made these promises without proper research into the feasibility of establishing a Provincial State-Owned Bank and Pharmacy.

Our residents cannot be used as political fodder in the run-up to the 2024 elections. The DA has requested more information regarding the due diligence reports that have been completed on the two new proposed provincial state entities.

Any new entities that the provincial government wants to establish must be for the benefit of our residents and not to line the pockets of a few who are politically connected.

The DA will scrutinise the replies to our questions once they are received to ensure that proper procedures are being followed and to understand where the money will come from.

Issued by Patrick Atkinson, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Finance, 4 July 2023