Latest news with #OfficeofthePremier
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak unity drives sustainable growth towards 2030 vision
KUCHING: The unity of Sarawak's diverse communities remains the cornerstone of the state's progress as it advances towards becoming a high-income and developed region by 2030, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Marking Sarawak Day 2025 under the theme 'Sarawak Maju Makmur' (Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak), he emphasised the state's commitment to inclusive growth through the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The Sarawak government will continue implementing PCDS 2030 to ensure socio-economic prosperity for all,' he stated in a Facebook post by the Office of the Premier. The Premier also outlined key focus areas, including digital economy expansion, AI adoption, and sustainable environmental practices. Sectors like oil and gas, plantations, tourism, and modern agriculture will receive accelerated development to bolster economic resilience. Education remains a priority, with free higher education in selected fields at state-owned universities starting next year. 'This initiative allows students to focus on their studies while easing financial burdens on families,' he added. Abang Johari reaffirmed Sarawak's dedication to safeguarding its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and thanked organisers for ensuring a successful Sarawak Day celebration in Miri. 'May Sarawak continue to prosper and serve as Malaysia's harmony model,' he concluded. – Bernama
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng HODs to be removed after SIU lifestyle audit findings
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that three heads of department (HODs) will be removed from their positions following the outcomes of lifestyle audits conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). According to Lesufi, the officials failed to adequately respond to concerns raised in the audit reports, which form part of the Gauteng Provincial Government's efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the public service. Lesufi revealed that 37% of officials assessed through the lifestyle audit process were flagged as high-risk or non-compliant. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health empowers staff with training to enhance patient care The affected HODs were given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies, but their responses failed to meet the audit requirements. 'I received the final reports from the SIU, and of the four outstanding cases, three returned negative outcomes. Based on these findings, I have instructed the Director-General to initiate the process of their removal,' he said. The lifestyle audits focus on identifying discrepancies between officials' declared lifestyles and their known income, aiming to detect potential financial misconduct or undeclared interests. The audits form part of a broader effort to improve governance in the province. Lesufi added that lifestyle audits will now be prioritised for officials working in supply chain and financial management roles across all Gauteng departments and public entities. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health invests R100 million in hospital upgrades The Office of the Premier will be the starting point for this expanded review, with investigators currently processing documents and conducting third-party verifications. In addition to the lifestyle audit initiative, Lesufi said that 47 completed forensic reports have been made public. These were compiled by the SIU, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Office of the Public Protector. They form part of a broader set of 177 reports, with the remainder to be released once finalised. The published reports detail a range of alleged irregularities, including the abuse of state resources, unauthorised expenditure, procurement violations, fraud, unfair labour practices, and personnel irregularities. Many of the reports date back several years and involve multiple departments. Lesufi clarified that these reports were previously under departmental review and were not being withheld by the Office of the Premier, as had been suggested in some quarters. To ensure accountability, a monitoring committee has been established within the Office of the Premier. ALSO READ: Gauteng MEC's food parcel cuts spark NPO protests It will track the implementation of recommendations from the reports, including efforts to recover misused public funds. Departments are required to submit quarterly updates on corrective actions taken. Lesufi also confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit to support the recovery of assets linked to irregular conduct. According to the provincial government, the lifestyle audits and forensic investigations form part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance, reduce financial irregularities, and restore public trust in government operations. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
'The time for excuses has passed' — PSA vows escalation until every unemployed doctor in KZN is hired
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has vowed to intensify protest action until every qualified, unemployed doctor in KwaZulu-Natal is absorbed into the provincial health system. The union, which represents thousands of public sector employees, has thrown its weight behind more than 150 unemployed doctors, who despite completing their internships and community service, remain without work. 'These doctors have completed their internship and community service obligations in line with public health policy but have been abandoned by the same government that trained them,' said the PSA in a statement. The union warned it would not back down until the KZN department of health provides clear answers about staffing plans. 'Health care is not a commodity, it is a human right. Doctors are not surplus, they are essential,' said the PSA. In a recent media statement, the KwaZulu-Natal health department confirmed that 20 medical officer posts will be advertised within the next seven days as part of an interim intervention. 'This comes as a result of ongoing engagements between the department of health and the Office of the Premier, which are aimed at finding practical solutions under challenging fiscal conditions,' the department said. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, speaking alongside premier Thami Ntuli, explained that the 800 medical posts referenced earlier this year by the national finance minister refer to a national allocation — not a provincial one — and that KZN will only receive a portion. 'We want to make it clear that those 800 posts form part of a national process, which is being handled at the level of the minister of health, the minister of finance, and parliament. KZN, like all other provinces, will receive a portion of those posts. Once national [government] has finalised that process and informed us how many posts we will receive, we will immediately advertise them,' said Simelane. She said they were not ignoring the problem. 'When we realised that our provincial budget would not be enough to absorb all the doctors finishing their community service this year, we escalated the matter to the premier. The premier and I then took the issue directly to the president,' said Simelane. Simelane blamed long-term financial cuts for the current staffing crisis. 'In the past five years, our department has lost R14bn to baseline budget cuts. That has greatly affected our ability to expand our staff complement,' she said. The PSA said these explanations were not enough. 'The PSA demands that minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, must immediately confirm how many of the 1,500 posts he promised on April 10 have been allocated to KwaZulu-Natal,' the union said. 'In addition, budget allocations must be urgently released to allow the provincial department to advertise and fill these critical posts without delay. This delay is a denial of justice, a betrayal of the working class, and a blatant undermining of the right to health for the people of KwaZulu-Natal,' said the PSA. The union painted a dire picture of the state of health care in the province, saying it has a doctor-to-patient ratio of just 0.4 per 1,000 people — far below acceptable standards. 'Emergency units are short-staffed, surgical backlogs are growing, and burnout among medical personnel has reached a breaking point. And yet, over 150 doctors remain jobless. The situation reflects poor governance and a leadership crisis,' said the PSA. 'These are not new posts but critical vacancies that have been left unfilled.' The union has also called for a joint meeting involving national and provincial authorities, unions and community organisations to craft a 'radical and people-centred workforce plan' based on population needs and transparent staffing data. 'These unemployed doctors are not job seekers begging for work. They are professionals demanding the fulfilment of a promise, and the right to serve communities. Government cannot continue to pay lip service to health transformation while it leaves hospitals short of hands and graduates unemployed,' the PSA said. The union warned that unless decisive action is taken soon, it will escalate its mobilisation efforts. 'The time for bureaucratic excuses has passed. The PSA will intensify mobilisation alongside unemployed doctors and progressive forces until every qualified doctor is placed, every funded post is filled and every patient is treated with dignity,' it said.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- The Citizen
Lesufi orders removal of three top officials after failed lifestyle audits
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that three heads of department (HODs) will be removed from their positions following the outcomes of lifestyle audits conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). According to Lesufi, the officials failed to adequately respond to concerns raised in the audit reports, which form part of the Gauteng Provincial Government's efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the public service. Lesufi revealed that 37% of officials assessed through the lifestyle audit process were flagged as high-risk or non-compliant. ALSO READ: Measles Outbreak in Gauteng: GDoH intensifies vaccination efforts The affected HODs were given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies, but their responses failed to meet the audit requirements. 'I received the final reports from the SIU, and of the four outstanding cases, three returned negative outcomes. Based on these findings, I have instructed the Director-General to initiate the process of their removal,' he said. The lifestyle audits focus on identifying discrepancies between officials' declared lifestyles and their known income, aiming to detect potential financial misconduct or undeclared interests. The audits form part of a broader effort to improve governance in the province. Lesufi added that lifestyle audits will now be prioritised for officials working in supply chain and financial management roles across all Gauteng departments and public entities. ALSO READ: Gauteng Robotics Regional crowns young innovators in Eldorado Park The Office of the Premier will be the starting point for this expanded review, with investigators currently processing documents and conducting third-party verifications. In addition to the lifestyle audit initiative, Lesufi said that 47 completed forensic reports have been made public. These were compiled by the SIU, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Office of the Public Protector. They form part of a broader set of 177 reports, with the remainder to be released once finalised. The published reports detail a range of alleged irregularities, including the abuse of state resources, unauthorised expenditure, procurement violations, fraud, unfair labour practices, and personnel irregularities. Many of the reports date back several years and involve multiple departments. Lesufi clarified that these reports were previously under departmental review and were not being withheld by the Office of the Premier, as had been suggested in some quarters. To ensure accountability, a monitoring committee has been established within the Office of the Premier. ALSO READ: National Blood Donor Month 2025: Gauteng celebrates SANBS blood heroes It will track the implementation of recommendations from the reports, including efforts to recover misused public funds. Departments are required to submit quarterly updates on corrective actions taken. Lesufi also confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit to support the recovery of assets linked to irregular conduct. According to the provincial government, the lifestyle audits and forensic investigations form part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance, reduce financial irregularities, and restore public trust in government operations. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- The Citizen
Three Gauteng senior officials face dismissal after failed lifestyle audits
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that three heads of department (HODs) will be removed from their positions following the outcomes of lifestyle audits conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). According to Lesufi, the officials failed to adequately respond to concerns raised in the audit reports, which form part of the Gauteng Provincial Government's efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the public service. Lesufi revealed that 37% of officials assessed through the lifestyle audit process were flagged as high-risk or non-compliant. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health empowers staff with training to enhance patient care The affected HODs were given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies, but their responses failed to meet the audit requirements. 'I received the final reports from the SIU, and of the four outstanding cases, three returned negative outcomes. Based on these findings, I have instructed the Director-General to initiate the process of their removal,' he said. The lifestyle audits focus on identifying discrepancies between officials' declared lifestyles and their known income, aiming to detect potential financial misconduct or undeclared interests. The audits form part of a broader effort to improve governance in the province. Lesufi added that lifestyle audits will now be prioritised for officials working in supply chain and financial management roles across all Gauteng departments and public entities. ALSO READ: Gauteng Health invests R100 million in hospital upgrades The Office of the Premier will be the starting point for this expanded review, with investigators currently processing documents and conducting third-party verifications. In addition to the lifestyle audit initiative, Lesufi said that 47 completed forensic reports have been made public. These were compiled by the SIU, the National Prosecuting Authority, and the Office of the Public Protector. They form part of a broader set of 177 reports, with the remainder to be released once finalised. The published reports detail a range of alleged irregularities, including the abuse of state resources, unauthorised expenditure, procurement violations, fraud, unfair labour practices, and personnel irregularities. Many of the reports date back several years and involve multiple departments. Lesufi clarified that these reports were previously under departmental review and were not being withheld by the Office of the Premier, as had been suggested in some quarters. To ensure accountability, a monitoring committee has been established within the Office of the Premier. ALSO READ: Gauteng MEC's food parcel cuts spark NPO protests It will track the implementation of recommendations from the reports, including efforts to recover misused public funds. Departments are required to submit quarterly updates on corrective actions taken. Lesufi also confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit to support the recovery of assets linked to irregular conduct. According to the provincial government, the lifestyle audits and forensic investigations form part of a broader strategy to strengthen governance, reduce financial irregularities, and restore public trust in government operations. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
