Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Faces Heat as DA Tables Motion of No Confidence

Premier Panyaza Lesufi under the microscope over PP's report over AmaPanyaza...

Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

In a dramatic turn of events, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has announced plans to submit a motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi, citing the findings of the Public Protector's report on the province's AmaPanyaza Traffic Wardens.

The DA's decision comes after the Public Protector's investigation revealed that the establishment of the Amapanyaza unit was irregular and lacked a legislative basis. The unit, which was introduced to bolster crime prevention efforts in the province, has been embroiled in controversy since its inception.

DA Provincial Chairperson, Solly Msimanga, confirmed that the party will lobby other political parties represented in the Provincial Legislature to support the motion. "We believe that Premier Lesufi has lost the mandate to lead the province," Msimanga said. "The findings of the Public Protector's report are a clear indication of his government's failure to adhere to the law and ensure accountability."

The AmaPanyaza unit was established in 2022, with a promise to recruit 6,000 young people to help fight crime in the province. However, the unit's legitimacy was questioned by various stakeholders, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA.

The EFF has welcomed the decision to disband the unit, calling it a "waste of money." ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont described the initiative as an "election gimmick" designed to siphon the provincial budget for service delivery and capture support for the ANC.

The Gauteng provincial government has announced plans to retrain the AmaPanyaza members as traffic officers, with a phased 36-month transition plan set to begin immediately. However, critics remain skeptical about the government's intentions and the potential for further abuse of public funds.

As the motion of no confidence looms, Lesufi's leadership is under intense scrutiny. Will he manage to weather the storm, or will the DA's motion prove to be the final nail in his coffin? Only time will tell.