Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has criticised Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s new Cabinet, describing it as a recycling of old African National Congress (ANC) leaders.
Lesufi’s Cabinet, announced on Wednesday after delays, includes seven ANC MECs and members from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and Rise Mzansi.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi announces Members of the Gauteng Executive council https://t.co/h3burwdOWX
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) July 3, 2024
Despite acknowledging the ANC’s resistance to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) demands, the EFF criticised the recycling of old leaders, citing concerns over persistent issues like unemployment, crime, and poor infrastructure.
EFF in Gauteng says even though it welcomes the announcement of provincial executive by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the party doesn’t believe the right people were appointed to their portfolios. EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga says Lesufi moved people who failed dismally in… pic.twitter.com/7sDuaHtEUB
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 3, 2024
“While we commend the courage displayed by the ANC Gauteng in resisting the DA’s bullying tactics and their exaggerated importance and entitlement to governmental positions in the province and nationwide, even at the risk of upsetting its national leadership which has demonstrated its preparedness to betray its historical mission as a liberation movement.
“The EFF is however unimpressed by the reappointment of the same old ANC leaders into government positions despite the clear dissatisfaction expressed by the people of Gauteng in the ballot,” EFF Gauteng provincial chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, said during an interview with Newzroon Afrika.
📸 Members of the Provincial Executive for the 7th Administration – Government of Provincial Unity #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/KrGsD085Wz
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) July 3, 2024
He added: “Equally uninspiring is the apparent motivation behind the recycling of ANC leadership in government – to manage patronage and appease internal ANC factions, rather than appointing credible and dedicated individuals to serve the people of Gauteng.
“The recycling of this failed collective sadly, is a confirmation that the stark challenges of unemployment, high levels of crime, ailing infrastructure, failing economy, housing backlog, poor healthcare system and shortage of education spaces will sustain.”
Dunga emphasised the EFF’s readiness to govern, saying that the party will respect the voters’ decision and act as an effective opposition to hold the executive accountable.
Economic Freedom Fighters Gauteng Statement on the Cabinet Announcement by Premier Panyaza Lesufi. pic.twitter.com/E1X6bdjKsu
— EFF Gauteng (@EFFGautengProv) July 3, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
