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ActionSA notes the long-overdue announcement of the Gauteng Provincial Executive, following a more than two-week delay, and believes the newly appointed cabinet led by Panyaza Lesufi, represents a mere continuation of the same old politics that has brought South Africa's economic hub to its knees.

It has clearly not hit home for Andrek that his return as Gauteng Premier does not represent the will of residents. He would do well to study the 2024 Provincial Election Results which were a striking rebuke of a Premier whose first term was marked by failure, a series of failed gimmicks, and empty promises, prompting residents to vote to remove him from office.

Therefore, Gauteng residents should not hold their breath for any real change in the provincial government's comical approach to governance, which prioritises PR stunts over real practical solutions and political patronage over the deployment of skilled professionals to deliver services for residents. 

Among many pressing challenges hampering progress in Gauteng, ActionSA has identified arresting the decline in economic growth and putting Gauteng on a prosperous trajectory as our top priority and accordingly will ensure that we exercise maximum oversight of the Economic Development Department led by MEC Lebogang Maile.

ActionSA has continuously expressed concern about the ongoing decline in our province's critical infrastructure, which has unquestionably contributed to our economic downturn. It is clear that our roads, water and sanitation infrastructure require repairs and upgrades, and, importantly, urgent intervention is needed to address the housing and energy needs of residents.

Furthermore, as criminal gangs continue to wreak havoc across Gauteng, ActionSA expresses concern regarding Premier Lesufi’s decision to centralize the critical function of Safety and Security within his office chiefly because if his failed Crime Wardens scheme is anything to go by, the safety and security of residents are at serious risk. 

We will monitor developments arising from this change and will continue to advocate for a clear plan of action to tackle crime that improves collaboration with SAPS and other departments, prioritises bolstering additional law enforcement capacity, implements improved community-driven safety programs, and enhances preventative policing interventions. These efforts must start the shift away from failed reactionary responses to the escalating safety and security crisis in Gauteng.

With the weight of these challenges resting on the shoulders of a Premier who has proven all but incapable, ActionSA will fight at every turn to ensure that we hold the Gauteng Provincial Government accountable and that the voices of ordinary residents are heard in the legislature, where we have positioned ourselves as an uncompromised constructive opposition focused on providing solutions to confront these challenges.

ActionSA believes Gauteng is capable of being turned around and put back on track towards prosperity, and we are committed to that effort but we maintain that for this to be achieved, the ANC must be removed from all levers of government.

We wish the newly constituted provincial government well for the term ahead and hope that the needs and best interests of residents will find expression in their work.

Issued by ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Caucus Leader Funzi Ngobeni