Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has postponed the announcement of his provincial government executive for the second time in nine days.
Lesufi was scheduled to announce his provincial executive on Monday night at 7pm at the Gauteng Partnership Fund building in Sandown, Johannesburg.
However, the event, which was attended by members of the media, ended up announcing the postponement.
Disagreements
It was revealed at the media briefing that the postponement was due to disagreements between the ANC and the DA.
On Sunday, June 23, Lesufi was set to announce his executive, but it was postponed due to disagreements between the ANC and the DA.
Speaking to members of the media on Monday night, ANC Gauteng secretary TK Nciza, flanked by ANC Gauteng officials Lebogang Maile and Tasneem Motara, said Lesufi postponed the announcement of MECs for the seventh administration because the DA is “stalling” the process of finalising the new provincial cabinet.
Lesufi was not seen at the media briefing.
Nciza, Maile and Motara said the ANC has reached a deadlock with the DA in the discussions regarding the formation of a new provincial government.
They said the bone of contention is that the DA wants the Gauteng executive to be run by an ANC-DA coalition, whereas the ANC does not want an ANC-DA coalition, but a government of provincial unity led by all political parties represented in the Gauteng provincial legislature.
Boycotting announcement
“From where we are sitting, we [ANC] have no agreement with the DA. The [DA] said they are boycotting [the announcement of the provincial executive]. They are not boycotting anything. They are just seeking attention for themselves…,” said Maile.
“We tried our outmost best to be accommodating. It is sad and unfair that one party wants to stall this process. The ANC wants to ensure that the province [Gauteng] is stable and has a legislature that is working…
“The premier is disappointed that this is the second time now that we are unable to constitute a government… This delay of announcing the executive is causing anxiety and is unfortunate. By tomorrow [Tuesday], there will be a government,” said Motara.
Solution on Tuesday
“What we do not accept is us having a concept of a coalition between the ANC and DA. There is nothing like that [ANC-DA coalition]. We want to bring everyone together… We are not going to allow bullying [by the DA]… There will be a solution tomorrow…,” said Nciza.
Maile said the ANC does not want a coalition with the DA and wants to work with all parties.
“We want to form a provincial government of unity and as the ANC, we are leading it because we invited other parties. We made it clear to the DA. They [DA] is behaving as if it is us [ANC] and them [DA]…
“The DA attitude is that they are saying big parties like them, DA and ANC, must work together. They are saying we [ANC & DA] are the big guys, and we should leave out other parties. We are not going to do that,” said Maile.
Elected unopposed
Lesufi was re-elected as the Gauteng Premier for the seventh administration unopposed during a Special House Sitting on Friday, June 14 at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature at the Selborne Hall in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature held its first sitting since the general national and provincial elections in May.
The former Arts and Culture MEC in Gauteng, Marakane Mosupyoe, was elected Speaker of the Legislature unopposed.
The Gauteng provincial legislature consists of 80 seats.
Following the outcome of the 2024 elections, the ANC got 36,47% (28 seats), the DA 26,65% (22 seats) and the EFF 12,46% (11 seats).
The other seats are taken by MK Party (8 seats), ActionSA (3 seats), PA and FF+ two seats each, and ACDP, Bosa, IFP, and Rise Mzansi one seat each.
