Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has appointed EFF Gauteng chair Nkululeko Dunga as a member of the executive committee (MEC) responsible for the finances of South Africa’s financial and economic hub.
Dunga replaces the ANC’s Lebogang Maile, who moves to the education portfolio.
Dunga will oversee Gauteng’s R179.2bn budget for 2026/27 and be responsible for the province’s finances after being fired as head of Ekurhuleni’s finances by mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza in June 2024 over disagreements on the metro’s budget.
Gauteng contributes about 33% to the national GDP and more than 10% of the total GDP of Sub-Saharan Africa.
In a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Lesufi said he has received the go-ahead to reconstitute his provincial cabinet from the ANC’s national leadership.
Lesufi withstood all attempts to include the DA in his 10-member executive as part of the government of provincial unity, despite reportedly receiving instructions from Luthuli House to do so.
The ANC in Gauteng has a reputation for being the tail that wags the dog, with DA Joburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille saying previously: “There’s a difference between the ANC in Gauteng and the ANC at national [level]. They are not the same ANC.”
During the media briefing, Lesufi said the latest appointments will go some way to restoring stability to the provincial government.
“With a legislature of 80 members, instability was a worrying factor when the DA tabled a motion of no confidence. Even though this motion was overwhelmingly rejected by all parties … the possible instability was going to be the hallmark of this administration,” Lesufi said.
The ANC received less than 35% of votes in the 2024 provincial election, down from just more than 50% in 2019, and required the EFF’s support for Panyaza to be elected premier.
“Last week, the adoption of the adjustment budget was delayed by a week due to disagreements … It is in this context that the national leadership of the ANC gave us the go-ahead to engage other political parties to strengthen the executive council,” Lesufi said.
The ANC and several political parties, including the DA, EFF, and the MK party, decided to add the EFF to the executive council after broad consultations, he added.
Xhakaza fired Dunga from his mayoral cabinet as head of finance in June 2024 and replaced him with ANC Ekurhuleni regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
The EFF was riled further in December 2025 when the ANC successfully fielded its councillor, Dora Mlambo, after the EFF’s Nthabiseng Tshivhenga resigned as speaker of Ekurhuleni. The EFF believed it was entitled to reclaim the position.
That prompted EFF leader Julius Malema to accuse Xhakaza of trying to push the EFF out of the metro, saying his party would reconsider its support for the ANC in Gauteng.
The reshuffled cabinet includes:
- E-government (IFP, Bonginkosi Dhlamini)
- Education, sports, arts, culture & recreation (ANC, Lebogang Maile)
- Transport, roads & logistics (ANC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela)
- Economic development, agriculture & rural development (Rise Mzansi, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa)
- Health and wellness (ANC, Faith Mazibuko)
- Human settlements (ANC, Tasneem Motara)
- Infrastructure development & Cogta (ANC, Jacob Mamabolo)
- Social development (ANC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko)
- Environment (Patriotic Alliance, Ewan Botha)
Lesufi said his team’s mission remains fixing local government, fighting crime and growing Gauteng’s economy.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.