Lesufi's future hangs in the balance as he faces vote of no confidence

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s future in office hangs in the balance as he is set to face a vote of no confidence in the provincial legislature on Friday.

The bid for his removal was tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) three weeks ago.

This is the first time Lesufi has faced such a motion since the formation of his minority government last year.

The motion follows a Public Protector finding that Lesufi had formed an illegal policing structure, the Gauteng crime wardens, well-known as “Amapanyaza.”

The Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found that the deployment of the Amapanyaza was unlawful.

Following their disbandment, Lesufi told the media that the wardens would be “repurposed”, with some being sent for full training as Gauteng traffic wardens.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga previously said that the party was engaging other parties in the provincial legislature to back the move. 

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) previously said that if the DA wants its support for the proposed motion of no confidence, the DA must apologise for previously calling the party “enemy number one” and its leaders “dangerous demagogues”.

EFF caucus leader Philip Makwala confirmed receiving a letter dated October 23, 2025 from Msimanga inviting the party to discuss the proposal. 

Makwala said that while the EFF supported accountability in governance, it was deeply concerned about the DA’s historic conduct and language toward the EFF and its leadership.

He said the EFF would only consider engaging with the DA if it publicly retracts its remarks and issues a formal apology.

ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson and caucus leader Funzi Ngobeni also confirmed receiving a letter from the DA seeking support for the motion.

“It must also be said that many of the shortcomings highlighted by the DA - maladministration, poor leadership, and failures of governance - could have been avoided had the DA not supported Mr Lesufi’s nomination as premier in June 2024,” Ngobeni said.

He added that the DA should apologise to Gauteng residents for “its historic misjudgement” before seeking the moral authority to correct it.

“The MK Party will not touch, associate with, or support anything that has got to do with the DA and its political posture,” MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela previously told IOL News.

“Because we are totally on opposite ends in terms of how this country must advance. The DA’s position on its policy direction is totally different from what the MK Party stands for.

“The DA does not stand for our people, and by virtue we cannot support anything that the DA does because their posture will be against what we stand for as the party and our people.”

It remains unclear whether the DA will secure enough support to remove Lesufi from office.

A successful motion of no confidence requires at least 41 votes in the 80-seat legislature.

Lesufi, who’s also the ANC provincial chairperson previously said he remains unconcerned by the DA’s announcement.

IOL