Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Friday survived his first vote of no confidence in the provincial legislature. The motion, brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA), sought his removal over the controversial Gauteng crime wardens known as “Amapanyaza.”
The DA filed the motion three weeks earlier. It was the first attempt to unseat Lesufi since the formation of his minority government last year.
The move followed findings by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, who ruled that Lesufi had created an unlawful policing structure by deploying the Amapanyaza. After the unit was disbanded, Lesufi announced that the wardens would be “repurposed,” with some expected to undergo full training as Gauteng traffic wardens.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the party had engaged other political parties to rally support for the motion.
The Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature confirmed that all 80 members were present for the vote. A total of 54 voted against the motion, 24 supported it, and one member abstained. The Speaker did not vote.
Following the result, ANC members in the chamber broke into celebratory songs.
Ahead of the vote, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had stated that they would only consider supporting the DA’s motion if the DA apologised for previously describing the party as “enemy number one” and its leaders as “dangerous demagogues.”
ActionSA provincial chairperson and caucus leader Funzi Ngobeni also confirmed receiving a letter from the DA seeking the party’s support. Ngobeni criticised the DA, saying many of the issues raised—such as maladministration and poor leadership—could have been avoided if the DA had not supported Lesufi’s election as premier in June 2024. He added that the DA should apologise to Gauteng residents for what he termed a “historic misjudgement.”
MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party would not back any DA-led initiative. He said the MK Party and DA had opposing visions for the country and that the DA’s policy direction did not align with the interests of the people the MK Party represents.
Lesufi, who also serves as ANC provincial chairperson, had earlier said he was not worried about the DA’s motion.
