Lesufi announces the new Gauteng cabinet

Following delays and bickering over positions, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has finally announced his cabinet.

Lesufi announced the members of the executive council on Wednesday night after the announcement was postponed twice.

WHO MADE IT TO THE GAUTENG CABINET?

During the briefing, Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Rise Mzansi are part of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). The GPU was formed as no political party achieved an outright majority (50% +1) to govern the province on its own.

Lesufi said the task of fighting crime and lawlessness remain the executive council’s top priority.

Here are the MECs:

• Health – Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko (ANC)
• Environment – Sheila Mary Peters (Patriotic Alliance)
• Agriculture and Rural Development – Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (Rise Mzansi)
• Social Development – Faith Mazibuko (ANC)
• eGovernment – Bonginkosi Dlamini (IFP)
• Roads and Transport – Kedibone Diale-Tlabela (ANC)
• Education, Sport, Arts and Culture – Matome Chiloane (ANC)
• Infrastructure Development and COGTA – Jacob Mamabolo (ANC)
• Human Settlements – Tasneem Motara (ANC)
• Treasury and Economic Development – Lebogang Maile (ANC)  

Notably, Faith Mazibuko, Matome Chiloane, Tasneem Motara, Lebogang Maile, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Kedibone Diale-Tlabela retained their positions in the Gauteng cabinet. Chiloane and Nkomo-Ralehoko will remain at the helm of the Department of Education and Health respectively. All the others have moved to different departments.

In addition, the Department of Education has been merged with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture while Community Safety has moved to the Office of the Premier.

DA REMAINS OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

Earlier on Wednesday, Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said that after robust engagements and weeks of negotiations, they have declined to take up seats on the ANC’s terms and will not form part of the executive of the Gauteng Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

Msimanga said that after a prolonged engagement involving various senior members of parties on both ends, they found themselves unable to accept a counteroffer to their offer. The offer made to the DA was and continues to be one we find both unfair and unreasonable.

“In the spirit of unity and to build a relationship with a foundation of trust, we entered these critical negotiations. It is, however, impossible for the DA to be co-opted into government, as we are meant to be power-sharing partners.

“We will not be functionaries who rubber stamp decisions made by an executive that, evidently, is intent on keeping us on the edge of the fray. Beyond the problematic nature of an attitude that seemingly does not understand what their significant loss of the vote share in Gauteng entails, an air of refusal to be partners, which ultimately is the goal, dominated conversations,” Msimanga explained. 

In addition, Msimanga said negotiations are meant to be principle-based, as per the Statement of Intent that both the ANC and the DA signed nationally. However, the ANC’s Gauteng leadership and negotiations team do not view this critically important document in the same light.

“If both parties had been negotiating in good faith, the situation might have been different now. That was not the case, and the DA cannot be part of a government that does not value fairness, proportionality, and principles as we do,” he added.