JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA), an institution established to empower young people with the education and skills necessary to enter the economy, is currently facing intense scrutiny over a delayed governance probe and mounting accountability questions. Amid growing pressure from political stakeholders and unrest among students, Gauteng government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga has stepped forward to address the controversies surrounding the academy’s leadership, delayed bursary payments, and the status of a highly anticipated investigation report.
The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has publicly called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to release the final investigation report into the GCRA. The league has questioned why disciplinary action appears to have taken years, noting that the institution’s former leadership was reportedly under investigation as early as 2022. They have also raised concerns regarding maladministration and the appointment of an acting CEO.
Addressing the demands for transparency, Mhlanga explained that the investigation remains ongoing due to the complexity of the matter, which involves multiple stakeholders and partners. He confirmed that Premier Lesufi is currently reviewing a draft of the report. According to Mhlanga, the Premier is ensuring that all areas are thoroughly probed before the document is made public, emphasizing that the government does not hide information and will release the findings at the appropriate time to properly account for the use of public funds.
The delays, Mhlanga noted, stem from the multifaceted nature of the allegations, which include irregular procurement processes and the improper appointment of service providers. Furthermore, parallel disciplinary processes are currently underway regarding the suspended individual implicated in the misconduct.
Addressing confusion regarding the institution’s current leadership, Mhlanga clarified that the current acting CEO is not under investigation and has not failed a lifestyle audit. Instead, the acting CEO is heavily focused on institutional repair—reviewing past failures, implementing new systems, communicating with recruited youth, and balancing the academy’s books while continuing to implement the Premier’s youth programs.
Institutional Restructuring and Youth Unrest
Acknowledging historical governance challenges at the academy, Mhlanga highlighted a major structural intervention by Premier Lesufi. To ensure stricter oversight, the GCRA was relocated from the Department of Education directly into the Office of the Premier. This move places the institution’s accounting officer in closer proximity to the Director-General, allowing for tighter monitoring and improved governance systems.
These administrative overhauls come at a critical time, as the academy faces backlash from its beneficiaries. Recently, approximately 300 bursary beneficiaries threatened protest action over unpaid fees and allowances. Additionally, summer students have threatened mass action after their academic results were reportedly withheld due to administrative bottlenecks.
In response to the student unrest, the government has initiated a cleanup of the beneficiary database. Mhlanga stated that officials are verifying contact information to bridge existing communication gaps, ensuring that students are properly informed about the next steps regarding their results and allowances.
Broader Youth Empowerment Goals
Despite the administrative hurdles, the provincial government maintains that its broader youth skills and job opportunity programs are making a significant impact. Mhlanga noted that the initiative has already provided skills training to over 90,000 young people, improving their employability in a province where an estimated 2.2 million youths are neither in education, employment, nor training.
While acknowledging that the program—originally launched in 2023—is a complex endeavor involving significant funding and a high volume of participants, Mhlanga insisted that the government is taking deliberate steps to create honest income opportunities and foster youth entrepreneurship.
When asked about the consequences for those found guilty of maladministration, Mhlanga offered a firm assurance: any officials implicated in fraud or corruption will face the courts. He noted that the government frequently collaborates with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to gather the necessary forensic evidence for law enforcement, a process that has already led to the suspension and relocation of several heads of departments across the province.
Ultimately, Mhlanga emphasized that the government acknowledges the identified challenges at the GCRA. By instituting thorough investigations and restructuring the academy’s oversight, the province aims to rebuild trust and ensure that the youth of Gauteng receive the opportunities and support they were promised.