Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is set to respond to mounting concerns over the province’s water shortages and corruption within government departments when he delivers the 2026 State of the Province Address on Monday evening at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Lesufi has been urged to outline clear plans to resolve the worsening water crisis and tackle organised crime in public institutions following the looting of more than R2 billion at Tembisa Hospital.
The address comes as several municipalities across Gauteng continue to experience intermittent water supply, with some communities left without water for weeks. Opposition parties, particularly the DA, have accused the premier of making empty promises and failing to prioritise critical infrastructure needs identified in previous years.
Civil society group WaterCan has warned that parts of Johannesburg are effectively experiencing Day Zero conditions due to management failures and deteriorating infrastructure.
The speech also follows strong criticism of Lesufi over what some describe as a lack of accountability regarding corruption at Tembisa Hospital. An investigation by the Special Investigating Unit uncovered widespread corruption and identified 3 major syndicates. However, opposition parties and governance watchdogs say few senior officials have faced criminal charges.
During the 2025 State of the Province Address, Lesufi named water infrastructure and corruption as key priorities. He linked the water crisis to frequent power failures at important pumping stations caused by vandalism and electricity disruptions, and reiterated a zero tolerance approach to corruption.
Political analyst and governance expert Sandile Swana said Lesufi must clearly explain how he intends to address what he described as an institutional problem. Swana argued that even when water is available, failing infrastructure in many municipalities prevents effective delivery.
He added that technical and infrastructure departments in municipalities have not performed adequately. He also criticised the quality of political leadership in the City of Johannesburg and said governance challenges were also evident in Tshwane until the leadership of Dr Nasiphi Moya.
According to Swana, Lesufi must address the quality of appointments at political, administrative and engineering levels to ensure reliable delivery of water, sewage, electricity and other basic services. He described the situation in Gauteng as institutional failure.
Swana further said the premier must detail the action taken against those implicated in the Tembisa Hospital looting. He argued that weak political oversight and collapsed governance systems allowed organised crime to infiltrate the hospital and law enforcement structures, effectively turning parts of the province into what he called a mafia state.
He said resources meant to serve the public are being diverted by politically connected organised crime groups and syndicates, and that Lesufi must explain how he plans to separate state operations from criminal influence.
Gauteng provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the premier will address a broad range of issues affecting the province, including water challenges, and will update the public on measures taken.
Governance expert Professor Andre Duvenhage said the premier must also address safety and security concerns and clarify steps taken in response to the hospital looting.
In October 2025, Lesufi suspended the head of the Gauteng Department of Health, Lesiba Arnold Malotana, following revelations of a procurement syndicate at Tembisa Hospital.
However, the premier has faced criticism for allegedly failing to adequately protect whistleblowers or ensure justice for Babita Deokaran, who exposed an R850 million scandal later linked to more than R2 billion before her murder in 2021. Opposition parties claim some implicated officials were allowed to remain in their positions long after her death.
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