Johnathan Paoli
After three postponements as a result of disagreements between the ANC and the DA over the allocation of positions, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi finally announced his Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) at a press conference on Wednesday night that excluded the DA.
The DA is part of the ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) and in terms of the agreements between the two parties, there was to be collaboration in both KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng.
However, after a breakdown in negotiations, Lesufi announced his cabinet that included MECs from the IFP, Rise Mzansi and the Patriotic Alliance although the Premier stressed that his door will never be closed for parties that still wanted to join the PGNU.
“We have been asked to combine our thoughts for a better Gauteng…We all declared that no one will be left behind except those that do not want to work with the GPU,” Lesufi said.
The announcement and swearing-in of the new MECs by Judge Lebogang Modiba took place at the Gauteng Partnership Fund in Sandton.
Lesufi said the fight against crime will intensify as one of his top priorities and will now move to his office. He dissolved the Community Safety portfolio.
He appointed 7 MEC from the ANC, and one each from Rise Mzansi, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
This means that the DA, EFF and MK party will occupy opposition benches.
The ANC MEC members include Lebogang Maile for Treasury and Economic Development, Tasneem Motara for Human Settlements, Jacob Mamabolo for Infrastructure Development, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko for Health, Kedibone Tlhabela for Roads and Transport, Faith Mazibuko for Social Development and Matome Chiloane for Education, sport, arts and culture.
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa from Rise Mzansi has been appointed MEC of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sheila Peters from the PA has been appointed to the Environment department, and Bonginkosi Dlhamini from the IFP as the MEC of eGovernment.
Earlier in the day DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the DA has chosen not to part of the GPU and the decision taken by his party to walk away from negotiations was due to a misunderstanding on how positions would be allocated.
“We were under the impression and understanding that we would form a government of provincial unity where all voices would be represented on a proportional basis but this is not the case,” Msimanga said.
Federal Chairperson Helen Zille also accused the ANC of doing things unilaterally and said they have not come to terms with their loss of support in the province.
“They shouldn’t boss everybody around as if they got a clear majority. They did not. We have partners and we are almost equal partners in Gauteng. We have a right to be treated as such,” she said.
The list of members of the provincial executive committee is as follows;
– Finance: Lebogang Maile (ANC)
– Human Settlements: Tasneem Motara (ANC)
– COGTA: Jacob Mamabolo (ANC)
– Health: Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko (ANC)
– Transport: Kedibone Tlhabela (ANC)
– Education: Matome Chiloane (ANC)
– Department of eGovernment: Bonginkosi Dlamini (IFP)
– Agriculture: Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (Rise Mzansi)
– Environment: Sheila Mary Peters (PA)
– Social development: Faith Mazibuko (ANC)
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