From Amapanyaza to accountability: DA says Lesufi’s ‘ego and dishonesty’ failed Gauteng

Gauteng residents have lost hope and trust in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s leadership. Under his leadership, service delivery has deteriorated, and he has failed to take bold steps against corruption. Instead, he only reacts when the issue is exposed, despite it having occurred under his watch. The Premier has a record of saying much but failing to deliver, committing unlawful actions and avoiding accountability.

It is high time that he faces the consequences of his failure to govern despite having all the resources at his disposal. He has failed to bring to fruition his promises to deliver adequate services, create employment opportunities, combat and prevent crime and uproot corruption. For the reasons mentioned and many more, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has tabled a motion of no confidence (MONC) against Premier Lesufi because he is not fit for the office he holds.

In Gauteng, no political party has an outright majority. The DA has reached out to other political parties in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to support this motion. This will ensure there are consequences for maladministration, arrogance and unlawfulness.

Our motion is not focused on anything else but the performance of Premier Lesufi and his fitness to hold office. We are asking other political parties, who have been entrusted to represent Gauteng voters, to decide on merit whether Premier Lesufi has acted in a manner suitable for his office.  Political parties must choose whether they support accountability, honesty, and good governance or if they would rather prioritise their political party interests at the expense of Gauteng residents in dire need of service delivery.

Since being elected Premier, Lesufi has stood at the helm of a government riddled with arrogance and maladministration. Serving the people of Gauteng has been the least in their priorities. Lesufi's government has focused on shielding corrupt officials, politicians, and comrades from facing consequences.

In a populist move with an eye on the 2024 elections, Lesufi rushed in establishing the Amapanyaza, exploiting the desperation of the unemployed and those fearful of the ongoing crime wave in Gauteng. Lesufi ignored numerous warnings, including the DA’s, that his private militia was unlawful. He refused to provide evidence for their legality and even went on the attack against former Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, when he was told his decision was not in line with the law. The Public Protector’s Report on the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) has vindicated those who correctly advised Lesufi against unlawful conduct.

The Public Protector report reveals that Gauteng has a Premier that deliberately overstepped their constitutional authority. Lesufi has once again failed the people of Gauteng with his ego and dishonesty. We must not forget that the some of the key victims of Lesufi’s ill-conceived political gimmick were the desperate youth who risked their lives to provide financial support for their families. Premier Lesufi’s government wasted needed billions in financial resources that could have been used to fix collapsing infrastructure in many police stations.

The appropriation of funds essential for critical programmes at Social Development led to many non-profit organisations (NPOs) being unable to serve the most vulnerable people in our society. Lesufi pitted the needs of Gauteng residents against each other with a false choice of choosing between fighting crime and fighting hunger.

The Public Protector’s pronouncement on Amapanyaza is not the only account of Lesufi’s disregard for good governance and accountability. There has been a consistent pattern of evading accountability under Lesufi’s administration. The Premier dragged his feet in releasing 177 forensic reports that would have exposed corruption in provincial governments. In the face of pressure from the Information Regulator, Lesufi released redacted reports far less than the 177 that were said to be available. Officials and politicians implicated have not been properly disciplined. Instead, the premier has allowed some of these officials to quietly resign while others have been reshuffled instead of being replaced, undermining institutional stability.

In response to the reckless stunts and lack of accountability by Premier Lesufi, the DA demands an end to impunity. The political parties represented in the GPL have a duty to ensure that anyone in government faces consequences for undermining our public institutions. The reports from the State Capture Commission, the Madlanga Commission, and the deadly costs of the Tembisa hospital corruption are what happens when there are no repercussions.  

All members of the political parties represented in the GPL must show the people of Gauteng that this government is accountable to the electorate. We have a duty to maintain public trust in our institutions by holding the executives to account.  Leaders in the house must answer to the public with honesty and transparency.  This can only be done by supporting the DA’s MONC to remove the incompetent, arrogant, self-serving, and boastful Premier Lesufi. Voting against the DA’s MONC will be telling the people of Gauteng that these parties support Premier Lesufi’s underperformance, maladministration and irresponsible representation of the interests of voters. We urge all parties represented in the GPL to vote with their heads, not their stomachs. Premier Lesufi must go.

Solly Msimanga MPL, DA Gauteng Leader of the Official Opposition