The DA in Gauteng denies being consulted on Premier Lesufi’s cabinet reshuffle, which brought the EFF into government. Solly Msimanga says the move is a desperate political survival tactic.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has denied that Premier Panyaza Lesufi consulted with the party regarding his recent cabinet reshuffle, which included bringing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) into government.
IOL previously reported that EFF provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga has been appointed as Gauteng's MEC for Finance.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, following Lesufi's cabinet reshuffle. Dunga replaces Lebogang Maile, who will now take over the education portfolio. Dunga’s appointment comes just days after he was sworn in as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
In an interview on SABC, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the premier had never engaged with them about joining the provincial cabinet.
“Let me put it on record, Panyaza has never consulted with us about re-engaging in conversations about joining the cabinet. So that is absolutely not true,” Msimanga said, adding that he does not envy Panyaza Lesufi at this point in time.
Msimanga described Lesufi’s decision to include the EFF in his cabinet as a “desperate move” aimed at securing his own political survival rather than improving governance or service delivery.
He argued that the reshuffle followed pressure from the EFF, which had threatened to withdraw support for the provincial budget if its demands were not met, particularly regarding representation in Ekurhuleni.
“The premier was acting under pressure,” Msimanga said. “Last week, letters were written by both the EFF and Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) stating that they would not support Lesufi’s budget. This is why we are seeing what we are seeing right now.”
Msimanga further criticised the reshuffle, pointing out that key portfolios had been shifted in ways he said reflected internal ANC politics rather than public interest.
“His biggest opponent has now been removed from one of the biggest portfolios, that is, health, into a less prominent portfolio in terms of budget allocation.
''Meanwhile, Lebohang Maile has moved to one of the largest budget portfolios, the Department of Education. You can see the budgeting that is taking place within the ANC is leading to their own Congress,” he said.
Msimanga stressed that the DA’s participation in government would depend on meaningful reforms in governance and accountability, responding to questions about whether the party would have joined if approached by Lesufi.
“We are not just about position. Governance cannot continue as it has been while corruption continues, information and reports are hidden, and officials are not held accountable,” he said.
''The DA is certainly not willing to be any part of a government that continues to fail the people of Gauteng for the last 30 plus years,” he said.
Msimanga outlined two key areas that would need to change before the DA could consider joining the provincial government: accountability in the appointment and management of senior officials and the prioritisation of budget allocations to critical departments.
“If these changes are implemented, the DA could then be part of government. If not, the party will wait until we are elected with a majority or a larger number to form a government capable of implementing proper changes,” Msimanga said.
Msimanga also outlined the issues the DA wants addressed before joining the provincial government. He said accountability in departments and the handling of senior appointments must change.
“Right now, we are sitting with 177 forensic investigation reports that have not been released, implicating a number of officials still employed in Health, Social Development, and Infrastructure Development. These matters must be addressed,” he said.
He added that the prioritisation of government projects, particularly infrastructure development, also needs attention if meaningful change is to happen.
“The point we are making is that there must be proper investigations and the removal of those implicated,” Msimanga said.
“You cannot continue using the same people who have led us into this mess and expect a different outcome.”
Msimanga said the DA would only engage in government in Gauteng once these structural changes were addressed.
“If these changes are not implemented, the DA will wait until we have the numbers to form a government ourselves and ensure that proper reforms are enacted,” Msimanga said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
IOL Politics