GAUTENG education MEC Panyaza Lesufi will be elected as the new Premier on Thursday after the Special Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) endorsed him as their preferred candidate.
This after Gauteng Premier David Makhura was forced to resign on Tuesday by a strong lobby within the PEC, according to ANC insiders.
Three names were recommended by the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee, with Lesufi as their first choice.
Others include Deputy Provincial Secretary Tasneem Motara and Provincial Working Committee (PWC) member Kedibone Diale.
Lesufi, who was elected ANC chairperson in June this year, is widely seen as the man who can mobilise the masses in Gauteng and garner popular support for the governing party ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Government sources, on the other hand, said Makhura is expected to take over as Public Service and Administration Minister after the position was left vacant when Ayanda Dlodlo was appointed an Executive Director on the board of the World Bank in Washington in the United States.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Makhura confirmed that he has handed over his resignation letter to the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe.
“Today, October 4, I have handed a letter to the speaker, honourable Ntombi Mekgwe, to tender my resignation from the position of the premier of Gauteng and a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, effective from October 6,” said Makhura.
“I was honoured to have been elected the sixth premier of this beautiful province in May 2014 and re-elected in May 2019. I have served the people of Gauteng with humility, and outmost dedication and integrity through the 8 years of my tenure.”
Makhura has served the ANC as a leader in Gauteng for 22 years, dating back to 2000 when he was appointed the coordinator of its then interim leadership structure.
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