ANCYL Gauteng Slams DA’s ‘Racist’ Motion of No Confidence Against Premier Lesufi: Calls It a Desperate Bid to Derail Transformation
In a fiery statement that has stirred up political tensions in Gauteng, the African National Congress Youth League has come out swinging against the Democratic Alliance’s motion of no confidence in Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The ANCYL branded the move as a “desperate and malicious” attack driven by racism and opportunism, aimed at destabilising the province’s government and undoing hard-won progress for the people. Released on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, the statement from Provincial Secretary Mpume Sangweni urged all progressive forces to reject the motion outright, vowing that the youth would defend Lesufi “in the legislature, in the streets, and in every space where our democracy is under threat.”
The backlash comes hot on the heels of the DA’s announcement to table the motion, triggered by a recent Public Protector report on the irregular establishment of the Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens. While the ANCYL acknowledged the report’s findings on administrative issues, they dismissed the DA’s push as a “cheap political point-scoring” tactic that ignores the programme’s successes in fighting crime and creating jobs. As debates rage in the provincial legislature, this clash highlights deeper rifts between parties, with accusations of corruption, racism, and sabotage flying from all sides.
The Spark: DA’s Motion Tied to Public Protector’s Damning Report
The DA’s bid to oust Lesufi stems from the Public Protector’s investigation into the AmaPanyaza programme, launched in 2023 to boost community safety. The report, released on 22 October 2025, found the establishment, appointment, and deployment of the wardens to be irregular and unconstitutional. It highlighted that the Gauteng Department of Community Safety overstepped its bounds by encroaching on national police powers, violating Sections 41(1)(g) and (h) of the Constitution, which prevent one government sphere from undermining another’s integrity.
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka ruled that the wardens’ training and roles mimicked those of police without proper legal backing, leading to wasteful spending of over R1.2 billion. She ordered remedial actions, including repurposing the wardens as traffic officers under the National Road Traffic Act within 180 days. DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga seized on this, calling the programme a “failure” and accusing Lesufi of “reckless governance” that wasted public funds.
The motion, set to be debated soon, needs support from parties like the EFF and ActionSA to pass, but early signs show resistance. The DA has appealed to them, but the EFF demands an apology for past “enemy number one” labels, while ActionSA outright rejected it as baseless.
ANCYL’s Fierce Condemnation: Accusations of Racism and Sabotage
The ANCYL did not hold back in their response, labelling the DA as “white, racist” and an “enemy of the people.” They argued the motion twists the Public Protector’s findings, which focused on procedural missteps rather than corruption or mismanagement. “The report merely outlines administrative missteps, for which clear remedial actions were prescribed and are already being implemented by the provincial government,” Sangweni stated.
The league slammed the DA’s track record in metros like Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Johannesburg, claiming they left services in ruins with unpaid workers, neglected roads, and corruption scandals. “The DA has never been on the side of the people. Their record in government is one of destruction, failure, and callous disregard for black communities,” the statement read.
They further accused the DA of being a “foreign-funded proxy” for those opposing black-led success, even linking them to support for “the killing of children and women in Palestine.” The ANCYL vowed to mobilise against the motion, seeing it as an assault on transformation and dignity for Gauteng’s residents.
Lesufi’s Leadership Under the Spotlight: Achievements Amid Criticism
The ANCYL praised Lesufi as a “beacon of decisive leadership,” highlighting his efforts to fight unemployment, corruption, and inequality since taking office. They pointed to the AmaPanyaza programme’s wins, including creating over 8,200 jobs for youth and contributing to a 7.9% drop in crime through community patrols.
Other highlights include the Gauteng-Limpopo high-speed rail link, advanced through talks with Limpopo leaders, set to ease traffic, create 125,000 jobs, and strengthen ties. Lesufi’s administration has also rolled out anti-corruption probes, youth job schemes, and infrastructure like new schools and water projects.
Despite the praise, critics like the DA argue the wardens’ issues show poor oversight. Lesufi has responded by committing to the report’s fixes, repurposing wardens as traffic officers while keeping their jobs intact.
Political Reactions: Support for Lesufi and Coalition Tensions
The motion has split Gauteng’s political scene. COSATU Gauteng condemned it as “frivolous,” urging rejection and praising Lesufi’s focus on services. The ANC expressed confidence in defeating it, with spokesperson Mzi Khumalo saying they would “defeat any motion against the Premier.”
The EFF’s stance could tip the scales, but their demand for a DA apology over past insults suggests no easy alliance. ActionSA dismissed the motion as lacking merit, while the MK Party also declined support.
This comes amid coalition strains in Gauteng, where the ANC leads a minority government. The DA’s move is seen by some as payback for disputes like the Floyd Brink appointment in Johannesburg.
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