Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite by DA MPL, Solly Msimanga, in English here.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s desperate attempt to keep his position as the provincial chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng has led him to reshuffle his cabinet. Lesufi appointed the leader of the EFF in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Nkululeko Dunga, as the MEC for Finance, a position previously held by Lebogang Maile, who has now been appointed as the MEC for Education.
This decision by Premier Lesufi will not benefit the residents of Gauteng. It will draw the EFF into the executive for him to have an alliance ahead of the local government elections later this year.
Lesufi’s desperation to push against the ANC’s national leadership and the Government of National Unity (GNU) is taking him to new heights. He has paid a high price to the EFF to save his position and Ekurhuleni.
Instead of focusing on ensuring that all municipalities in the province function properly and can deliver basic services, he has given in to the threats made by the EFF to destabilise the province, after Dunga was removed as the MMC for Finance in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Lesufi’s decision is a clear indication that he cares little about the needs of the residents of this province. Premier Lesufi should focus on ensuring that all his departments are delivering basic services to our residents and should not, on a whim, decide to change his executive to give one political party its way.
Dunga has been appointed to a critical position in the executive and given that he was removed from his position as MMC of Finance in Ekurhuleni raises questions about his fitness to hold this position.
Furthermore, there was an internal reshuffle through the exchange of portfolios between the MEC of Health and Social Development, which will worsen service delivery. The reshuffled former MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, is Panyaza’s biggest contender for the provincial chairmanship at the upcoming ANC Gauteng Congress, and her holding such a powerful portfolio is a threat to the Premier.
On the other hand, Maile’s move to another powerful and well-resourced portfolio of Education further shows how Panyaza is using these positions to garner support and favour for his re-election.
It must be made clear that post the failed negotiations in 2024, the DA has never been consulted by Panyaza Lesufi or any of the ANC leaders, as claimed by Lesufi in his press briefing.
We will continue to demand that the Premier make public the lifestyle audits of all MECs. We cannot have an executive in this province that has been put together purely to satisfy all the parties that are part of the minority GNU in this province.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng will closely monitor the work of the MEC for Finance and ensure that every rand spent is value for money. We will not allow the public purse to be looted by any official for personal gain.