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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not surprised by Premier Lesufi’s attempts to evade accountability in response to criticism of his government’s failure to deliver services to the residents of this province. The statement from Lesufi’s office about the Premier Coordinating Forum (PCF) is a deflection from the fact that the Gauteng Provincial Government has sat idle while Gauteng municipalities have fallen into financial ruin.

Johannesburg’s collapse is not only about the province's rapid expansion and funding models. It is about the fact that the current government is unable to plan properly and manage budget allocations earmarked for service delivery. Premier Lesufi allowed his comrades to focus on political expediency that protected their positions rather than serving the residents of Johannesburg.

Instead of assessing why all municipalities except the DA-led Midvaal are in a state of collapse, the Premier blames the DA. For 14 years, Midvaal has received clean audits, consistent service delivery, and economic growth. The Auditor General and Statistics South Africa have, on numerous occasions, indicated that this municipality is the best-run in Gauteng.

The DA Gauteng’s critique of the PCF is based on the real lived experience of our residents in the province. Residents are unable to access basic services such as water and electricity. Roads in the province are littered with potholes and sinkholes. This is not a reflection of a provincial government that prioritises residents' needs. It is a government that is reactive instead of proactive. Furthermore, many municipalities in this province owe Rand Water and Eskom millions of rands for water and electricity. The Gauteng Provincial Government's (GPG) interventions to assist municipalities with unfunded mandates have failed, as Merafong, Sedibeng, and Emfuleni are battling financially.

Every metro faces fiscal pressure; however, Johannesburg has gone from being South Africa’s economic engine to requiring repeated bailouts and national intervention. This is not a funding model problem but a governance problem.

Under a DA-led coalition, Johannesburg's finances were stabilised, irregular expenditure was reduced by over R2 billion, and debt to bulk services providers was reduced. In Tshwane, under the DA-led administration, we managed to cut waste and increase revenue collection.

Gauteng does not need another forum. The DA Gauteng calls for immediate intervention to stabilise Johannesburg’s finances. Criminal charges must be opened against those who looted the city, and a return to competence-based appointments, not cadre deployment.

A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would immediately place the City of Johannesburg under financial administration.

Gauteng has seen what the DA can do in Midvaal and what we started in Johannesburg and Tshwane. In 2026, voters will have the chance to extend that model across the province.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - Leader of the Official Opposition- Gauteng