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Frivolous – that’s how political parties described the Democratic Alliance’s sponsored motion of no confidence against Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi.
The Sitting which took place on Friday at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature resulted in 54 voting against and 24 for.
According to Mzi Khumalo, ANC Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson, the motion which he termed ill-conceived, rooted in political opportunism and guided by hypocrites who thrive on theatrics, was never about strengthening governance.
He claimed that it was a desperate attempt by the DA to seek attention after being overwhelmingly excluded by other parties from Gauteng’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
“Their bitterness at not being part of the GPU continues to drive their daily reckless behaviour that contributes nothing to the lives of the people of Gauteng.
“The DA advanced this motion knowing fully well that they lacked both the numbers and the substance to support it. Yet, in typical fashion, they chose grandstanding over constructive engagement. Their conduct exposes a party more interested in spectacle than in the real work of good governance.
Beyond cheap political theatre
“Every issue the DA attempted to raise has already been acknowledged and is being actively attended to through clear and actionable government processes.
“This confirms what the public already knows: the DA’s motion had no basis beyond cheap political theatre,” he explained.
Khumalo stated that the emphatic and overwhelming rejection of the motion reaffirms the unwavering confidence in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s leadership and in the stability and direction of the GPU.
“It also affirms the commitment of progressive forces in the Legislature to protect the integrity of governance from opportunistic attacks,” he remarked.
Khumalo called on the DA to stop its bitterness, abandon its obstructionist tendencies and meaningfully contribute to the democratic project.
He added; “Gauteng requires leaders committed to progress, not parties seeking relevance through disruption.”
Meanwhile, expressing his disappointment, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said his party stood for the residents and voted to rid Lesufi’s failed governance whilst many others did not.
“We had parties like ActionSA, BOSA, Rise Mzansi, IFP, uMkhonto WeSizwe and the EFF that all decided to stand on the side of corruption, maladministration and of incompetency.
“We have been saying time and again that it cannot be that government can continue to not deliver services to the people, billions of rands gone wasted.
“As we would have seen in the Tembisa hospital scandal, Anglo Ashanti debacle and the R430 million spent to fumigate empty schools. Yet when we asking for those reports they are never forthcoming.
“It cannot be that when Panyaza [Lesufi] is told that what he has done with AmaPanyaza is illegal and then he continues to press on, spending over R2 billion rands.
“At the end of the day come into the house and still get support from all other political parties that have supported him today to remain a premier that is not accountable. A Premier that has failed the people of Gauteng and continuously misleading them,” he expressed.
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Msimanga maintained that as the DA, they have proven time and again to be right side of history.
He added; “You can think about issues like Life Esidimeni, what we have said about Eskom previously, Rand Water and so many other issues that we have been proven right about and in this instance – we know that it might not happen today but we will again be proven right to be on the right side of history.”
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