The EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga is the new Gauteng finance MEC.

• Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reshuffled his executive council.
• Among notable changes is the inclusion of EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga, Bonginkosi Dlamini (IFP) and Ewan Botha from the PA.
• Lesufi emphasised the reshuffle was influenced by the ANC’s minority status in the provincial legislature.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reshuffled his executive council, introducing significant changes, including the appointment of the EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga as the new finance MEC.

This decision follows threats from EFF leader Julius Malema to destabilise the province after Dunga, who was the MMC for finance in the City of Ekurhuleni, was axed by ANC Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza in June 2024.

Other notable appointments to Lesufi’s executive council on Wednesday include Bonginkosi Dlamini from the IFP and Ewan Botha from the PA.

In the reshuffle, Lebogang Maile was moved from finance to education, while Faith Mazibuko was axed from social development and replaced by Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.

Meanwhile, MECs Tasneem Motara and Jacob Mamabolo retain their respective portfolios in human settlements and infrastructure development, and cooperative governance and traditional affairs.

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Among the key appointments is Dlamini, who now heads the e-Government Department, while Rise Mzansi’s Vuyiswa Ramokgopa and the ANC’s Kedibone Diale-Tlabela retain their positions in the agriculture and rural development and transport portfolios, respectively.

Lesufi described the decision-making process as “painful”, explaining that the ANC lacked the number of seats in the provincial legislature to secure an outright majority of MECs in the executive council.

“Our mission remains to fix local government and grow the economy of Gauteng,” he stated.

One of the most difficult decisions, according to Lesufi, was the exclusion of Matome Chiloane from the council. Lesufi said he spent 59 minutes discussing the matter with Chiloane, who was education MEC, emphasising that it was a challenging choice.

Lesufi said:

Lesufi said the changes were driven by directives from the ANC’s national leadership after nearly two years of leading a minority government in the province.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have numbers as the ANC in Gauteng. We respect numbers,” he said.

Lesufi expressed confidence in Dunga, highlighting his prior experience as an MMC for finance in Ekurhuleni.

“We are not throwing him in the lion’s den,” Lesufi stressed, adding that he believed the EFF would play a “constructive role” in managing the finance portfolio.

The premier also acknowledged the importance of collaboration with other political parties.

“Those that want to work with us are accommodated. The EFF have raised their limitations about the City of Ekurhuleni, and we are engaging them. They are not part of government in Sedibeng but have voted with us. This is the kind of stability that we need. Where they have issues, we have agreed to facilitate to resolve those issues,” he said.

The newly appointed MECs are set to be sworn in on Friday afternoon.