Gauteng, South Africa – After a highly publicised leadership tussle with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Provincial Government of Unity, re-elected Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi finally announces his 10-member executive team, which sees the ANC taking up a whopping seven seats, with the remaining three shared by IFP, Rise Mzansi and Patriotic Alliance (PA).
The four parties, including the ANC, that are in the Gauteng executive collectively hold 32 of the 80 seats in the provincial legislature.
Hot on the heels of a new National Cabinet announcement on Sunday (June 30), the DA earlier on the day pronounced its objection to the provincial unity government following a disagreement with the ANC over the allocation of portfolios. However, Lesufi said he considers the party to be part of the agreement given that its member Refileo Ntsheke is the deputy speaker.
Addressing the media prior the announcement, Solly Msimanga, Gauteng DA leader, said while they had initially agreed to a fair power-sharing deal in a move that would have afforded them trust in the strange post-election political marriage, he alleges the ANC have always wanted to take the lead even though. This is despite the party having lost its outright majority in the province in the recent general elections with a meekly 35% of the provincial vote, giving it 28 out of 80 seats in the legislature.
The DA edged closer at second position with 28% of the votes, security it 22/80 seats. Despite this disappointing outcome, which saw the ANC striking a coalition deal with the DA, and subsequently signing the statement of intent to co-govern both in the national executive and the two provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, which it had also lost, the DA revealed that the ANC wanted to grant them only three positions, while they spared seven for themselves, including the position of a Premier.
The DA wanted to be given at least four MEC portfolios for infrastructure, education or health, transport and economic development, which the ANC objected to.
Gauteng Executive Council list:
- Tasneem Motara (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements
- Faith Mazibuko (ANC): Gauteng for Social Development
- Bonginkosi Dlamini (IFP): Gauteng MEC for e-GOV
- Lebogang Maile (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Finance
- Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Health
- Kedibone Tlhabela (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport
- Jacob Mamabolo (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
- Matome Chiloane (ANC): Gauteng MEC for Education
- Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (Rise Mzansi): Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development
- Sheila Mary Peters (PA): Gauteng MEC for Environment
