The African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi was elected Thursday as the new premier of the province.
Lesufi replaces David Makhura who announced his departure earlier this week after eight years at the helm.
The ANC added: “The time has come to hand over the baton in a relay that started more than two decades ago with Comrade Tokyo Sexwale, Mathole Motshekga, Mbhazima Shilowa, Paul Mashatile, Nomvula Mokonyane and David Makhura who handed over the baton to comrade Panyaza Lesufi in an exemplary seamless and smooth transition that represented the true values and character of the ANC”.
The ANC said the new premier leads a collective whose task is to improve the quality of life for the people of Gauteng and to urgently respond to the immediate challenges, which include unemployment and crime.
“Premier Lesufi’s immediate task will be to wrestle Gauteng from a tight grip of criminals and gangs and to take back control of our townships from criminal elements that have left our people living in agonising fear,” the ANC said.
“The ANC Provincial Executive Committee is confident that the record of comrade Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi as an activist and leader in various positions stands him in good stead in ensuring that the ANC-led Gauteng Provincial Government delivers on the electoral mandate and on its electoral promises.
“The ANC wishes to thank former Gauteng Provincial Chairperson and former Premier David Makhura for diligently leading the Gauteng Provincial Government for the last eight years as premier.”
Unimpressed, the opposition Democratic Alliance said: “Another premier of no-action installed by the ANC, while service delivery continues to decline.”
Gauteng DA Leader Solly Msimanga said: “As the Democratic Alliance (DA), we do not expect Lesufi to do anything different. Gauteng residents will continue to suffer under the leadership of the ANC.
“Corruption will continue unabated, and there will be no value for money when tenders are awarded.
“Just like Makhura who was unable to execute and implement policies in place that will better the lives of our residents, Lesufi will also be blocked by his political masters and will not be able to make strategic decisions that will benefit the residents of our province.”
