Gauteng Premier
By Thabo Mosia
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has strongly indicated that it is building a case for a motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The move comes as the party continues to press the provincial government for the release of over 100 forensic reports into corruption within the administration.
During a media briefing on Thursday, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga accused Lesufi’s government of hiding critical information from the public. The briefing was held as part of the DA’s “true state of the province” address, a tradition where the party presents its own version of Gauteng’s governance status ahead of the official State of the Province Address (SOPA), which Lesufi is scheduled to deliver next Monday.
The DA claims that the Lesufi administration and previous provincial governments have been implicated in widespread corruption, which has led to billions in public funds being mismanaged. The Gauteng government, however, has denied these allegations, stating that it can only release reports that are fully completed.
Forensic Reports: DA Accuses Lesufi of Lack of Transparency
At the heart of the DA’s argument is the alleged suppression of forensic investigations into various government departments and procurement deals. The DA asserts that these reports contain damning evidence of fraud, maladministration, and financial mismanagement within Gauteng’s provincial structures.
Msimanga stated:
“We’re asking for better accountability in terms of the programmes government is implementing now. I promise you now we are building up towards something, and it might lead to a motion of no confidence against Panyaza Lesufi if we continue to have these failed reports made public. If we continue to have failed programmes that are being implemented.”The Gauteng government, however, denies that it is withholding any reports. Officials insist that forensic reports can only be made public once all investigations are finalised.
This stance has not satisfied the DA, which argues that the public has a right to know the extent of corruption in the province and that Lesufi’s administration is deliberately stalling the process to protect certain individuals implicated in wrongdoing.
Corruption Allegations: What Do the Reports Contain?
The forensic reports that the DA is demanding access to cover years of alleged financial mismanagement in Gauteng. Some of the most serious allegations include:
• Misuse of public funds meant for vulnerable citizens: A recent investigation revealed that at least R500 million was irregularly paid to for-profit companies through non-profit organisations between 2016 and 2018.
• Undisclosed contracts and procurement fraud: Reports suggest that millions have been misappropriated through government contracts awarded to politically connected businesses without proper tender processes.
• Failed service delivery projects: The reports allegedly contain evidence of unfinished projects, ghost workers, and companies that received government payments without delivering services.
These revelations, if made public, could severely damage the credibility of Lesufi’s government and influence political dynamics ahead of the 2024 elections.
What Happens If the DA Proceeds With the Motion of No Confidence?
Premier Panyaza Lesufi currently leads a minority government in Gauteng, meaning that if the DA pushes ahead with a motion of no confidence, he would need to secure the backing of opposition parties to remain in office.
A successful motion of no confidence would result in:
✔️ The removal of Lesufi as Premier.
✔️ The Gauteng Legislature electing a new Premier, which could lead to political instability.
✔️ Potential coalition negotiations between opposition parties.
The DA does not hold a majority in the Gauteng Legislature, so to succeed, the motion would require support from other opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA, Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and smaller parties.
The EFF has not yet stated its position on a potential motion, but given its past criticism of Lesufi, it could be a decisive player in the outcome.
Gauteng Government’s Response to the DA’s Claims
The Lesufi administration has pushed back against the DA’s accusations, arguing that its focus remains on governance, service delivery, and economic recovery.
A provincial government spokesperson dismissed the DA’s claims as political posturing, stating:
“The Gauteng government does not release incomplete reports. The administration is committed to transparency, and all forensic reports will be made public once all due processes are completed.”Lesufi’s supporters argue that the DA is using this issue to create instability ahead of the 2024 general elections, rather than genuinely seeking accountability.
Political Fallout: Will the Motion Succeed?
Experts are divided on whether the DA’s potential motion of no confidence will gain enough support. Some analysts argue that opposition parties might unite against Lesufi, while others believe political alliances will prevent the motion from succeeding.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe suggests that the DA might struggle to get enough votes:
“Lesufi is a strong political figure in Gauteng, and while opposition parties may have their disagreements, they are not necessarily united in their approach. The DA needs broad support to pass a motion of no confidence, which is unlikely unless the EFF and other smaller parties decide to back it.”However, should new corruption scandals emerge, opposition parties may be more inclined to take action against the Premier.
Calls for Political Stability and Responsible Leadership
The DA’s threatened motion of no confidence has sparked debates about governance, transparency, and political accountability in Gauteng.
Other opposition voices, including Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Ayanda Allie, have urged parties to avoid weaponising motions of no confidence and instead focus on constructive engagement.
“The people of Gauteng need solutions, not political grandstanding. Any attempt to remove a Premier must be based on clear evidence of wrongdoing, not election-year tactics.”
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