Pretoria - Gauteng Premier David Makhura has resigned just before a motion of no confidence against him was due to be tabled in the provincial legislature in two weeks’ time.
The resignation also came after a certain section of the ANC in the province had pushed the party’s provincial chairperson, Panyaza Lesufi, to endorse their call for Makhura to step down last month, arguing that they wanted to avoid two centres of power in Gauteng.
Speaking on the sidelines of SA Democratic Teachers’ Union conference yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed Lesufi would be the new premier.
Makhura had managed to delay his removal until he completed his last international assignment where he visited various investors in Germany, including BMW plants.
Aware of the factional calls within his party, Makhura finally agreed to resign yesterday.
He said he handed over the baton to Lesufi at the 14th ANC provincial conference, adding that he had worked with many ANC leaders and activists in the province to rebuild and position Gauteng as a significant player in the affairs of the movement and the country at large.
“I have always contemplated how best to ensure a smooth and seamless transition from the collective I lead in the PEC (provincial executive committee) and in government to achieve maximum unity.
“Consequently, I have held several engagements with the ANC leadership on the timing and details of the handover to ensure a smooth transition.”
Makhura said the ANC had been seized with this matter over the past few weeks and had now completed its internal processes. He handed his resignation to the Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe, who was initially tipped to be premier in 2014, but the then leadership of ANC persuaded the national leaders to opt for Makhura.
The decision apparently irked Mekgwe, but she grudgingly accepted the outcome in 2014.
A new premier will be appointed in the legislature tomorrow.
In reaction to the announcement, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said Makhura was running away from the party’s motion of no confidence, due to be debated on October 18.
Msimanga said the announcement came after the legislature issued a notice for a special sitting to be held tomorrow to nominate and elect the new premier.
The DA brought the motion because the residents in this province had not been receiving the service they rightfully deserve, he said.
Msimanga added: “State of the Province Address after State of the Province Address have been littered with a list of promises by Premier Makhura which have not been fulfilled.”
He said Makhura knew there was a strong possibility of the motion passing and that he would leave the office disgraced. “It does not matter who is nominated by the ANC to be the new premier, this party has demonstrated its failure to govern, and it will not make any change to the lives of Gauteng residents.
“They will also be a premier of no action and will not be able to make strategic decisions that will benefit residents. Service delivery will continue to suffer under the leadership of the ANC-led government.
“The status quo needs to change. Residents have the power to do this in 2024. Residents deserve a DA-capable government that will deliver the services they promise,” Msimanga said.
Pretoria News