DA MPL Rasilingwane faces investigation over Gauteng office lease claims

A formal complaint has been filed against DA Gauteng MPL Khathutshelo Rasilingwane following her recent statements about government leased office buildings in Gauteng. An independent NGO has described her claims as misleading and potentially harmful.

Right to Justice, which carried out inspections of several government properties, said Rasilingwane’s statements contributed to heightened tensions that reportedly led to the deaths of two security guards connected to leased buildings. The incidents came after media coverage by the Sunday World.

In a statement, Right to Justice said that spreading unverified claims can have serious consequences.

“False reporting and irresponsible amplification of misinformation can escalate tensions and even result in loss of life. Full accountability is necessary,” the NGO said.

Rasilingwane told the Sunday World that the Gauteng government spends millions of rands each month renting office space while many state owned buildings remain empty. She also suggested that some landlords leasing to the government had political connections. Her statements attracted national attention and sparked criticism of provincial spending practices.

However, inspections by Right to Justice found that many state owned buildings were not immediately usable because of safety hazards, poor maintenance, and regulatory issues. The organization said that focusing on certain landlords created a misleading impression of the overall management of government property.

The NGO has called for a formal investigation to determine whether Rasilingwane’s statements were accurate, how they were disseminated, and whether misinformation contributed to violence and the deaths of the security guards.

When contacted by the Star, Rasilingwane said she had not yet been contacted by the police and had not received any formal notice regarding the complaint. Asked if her statements reflected her personal view or the position of the DA, she said:

“I do not want to respond to something that is not in front of me. I do not want to say anything about whether this was a party position or not. You should speak to the party. But from me, no comment.”

The DA Gauteng branch also distanced itself from her remarks. A party spokesperson said:

“The comments made by MPL Khathutshelo Rasilingwane are her own and do not reflect the DA’s position. We urge members to verify facts before making public statements.”

The Gauteng government defended its leasing practices, noting that renting office space is often necessary because of infrastructure constraints and budget limits. A separate forensic investigation into government leasing is still under way.