The EFF has used its 11 seats in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to negotiate their first MEC position since the party’s inception 12 years ago.
This after a strong ally of party leader Julius Malema, EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga, was on Wednesday announced as the MEC of finance under Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi’s executive.
The installation of Dunga as finance MEC has resulted in the demotion of Gauteng ANC strongman Lebogang Maile, who will now oversee the education and sports department.
As finance MEC Maile was to have hosted the province’s investment conference in April, which will now be led by Dunga.
The inclusion of the EFF in the executive was necessitated by the fact that the provincial government would not be able to pass the budget without its support.
Talks that took place in the past two weeks eventually led to the EFF agreeing to support the adjustment budget this week in return for a seat at the table.
Dunga was removed from his previous position of finance MMC by Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. Moves by the EFF to then install Dunga in another position, as Ekurhuleni speaker, were thwarted by the ANC in Ekurhuleni, which is led by Xhakaza as regional chairperson.
The EFF then announced that it would withhold its support in all municipalities it runs with the ANC, including in the provincial legislature where it has been lending its votes from time to time.
Sunday Times understands Lesufi briefed the ANC officials on Monday that he would appoint the EFF to lead the finance department, a move that was given the green light.
This culminated in him announcing sweeping changes in his cabinet that saw Dunga taking over the treasury of the province.
I want to thank MEC Chiloane from the bottom of my heart. It has been a difficult decision. I spent almost 50 minutes with him moments ago, and we assured him that we are not going to leave and that there are responsibilities that we really believe that he can assist us with, so we are working around those issues.
— Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng premier
Lesufi on Wednesday officially announced the new make-up of his provincial executive that will see Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko being shifted from health to social development, while Maile’s shift to education and sports effectively replaces Matome Chiloane, who has been left out of the new executive.
E-government will be under the IFP’s Bonginkosi Dlamini, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela retains the department of transport, and Rise Mzansi’s Vuyiswa Ramokgopa takes over the newly combined department of economic development and agriculture.
Faith Mazibuko, who has been in community safety under the office of the premier, will now take over the troubled health department.
The ANC’s Tasneem Motara retains human settlement, the PA’s Ewan Botha keeps environment, while the ANC’s Jacob Mamabolo retains Cogta, now combined with infrastructure.
Lesufi said he felt bad for having to take a decision that left Chiloane out of his executive.
“I want to thank MEC Chiloane from the bottom of my heart. It has been a difficult decision. I spent almost 50 minutes with him moments ago, and we assured him that we are not going to leave and that there are responsibilities that we really believe that he can assist us with, so we are working around those issues,” said Lesufi.
Lesufi explained that he has the backing of the leadership of his political party to rope in the EFF and make these changes to his executive.
The adjustment budget was postponed last week and only passed on Tuesday after clinching the deal with the EFF.
The ANC was forced to enter into talks with the EFF after negotiations to give Dunga a position in the Ekurhuleni municipality collapsed.
Soon after, the EFF made it clear that it would not support the ANC in any of its municipalities for free unless they are adequately rewarded.
Lesufi said they had to engage in official talks with the EFF and the MK Party to stabilise government.
“Last week we couldn’t proceed to adopt the adjustment budget … The national leadership of the ANC gave us a go-ahead to engage with other parties .. to stabilise numbers,” said Lesufi.
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