Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reportedly sparked internal ANC tensions after appointing EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga as MEC for Finance, a move that has drawn criticism from several party structures but is set to be formally addressed by ANC leadership.
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According to IOL, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed that the party has received a formal query from the ANC Veterans’ League and other structures, including the ANC Youth League and ANC Women’s League, over the appointment.
“We did receive a query from the Veterans’ League. That matter we will address in due course this week and also at the regular NWC meeting next week,” the report quoted Fikile as saying.
“We will attend to their concerns because we must address these issues.”
“We can confirm that we did interact with Gauteng leadership regarding the challenge they faced in passing the budget,” Fikile said.
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The reshuffle places Nkululeko in charge of more than R180 billion in provincial funds, despite concerns raised about his previous removal as Ekurhuleni finance MMC over alleged poor performance and compliance issues.
Critics, including the Veterans’ League and Sanco, say the appointment raises questions about governance stability and public confidence.
“We encourage people to vote for the African National Congress, and we promise them to be the watchdog, not to be biased towards our people. Corruption, our people are sick and tired of corruption, and we cannot allow this reshuffle to happen where the person who does not have integrity, the person whose integrity is questionable, is being given such a huge responsibility, R170 billion budget to the EFF. So there is something fishy there. So, for example, we are saying enough is enough, we are not going to allow things to threaten anymore,” said SANCO Gauteng chairperson Abraham Mashishi, according to SABC News.
Lesufi’s wider cabinet reshuffle also saw several MECs moved between key departments, a change he linked to the need to secure budget approval with EFF support and maintain stability in the province.
While ANC structures have expressed concern about the political and administrative risks of the decision, the EFF has defended Nkululeko, describing him as a disciplined and capable leader.
According to The Citizen, political analysts say the controversy reflects deeper factional tensions within the ANC, ideological discomfort with cooperation between rivals, and concerns that the EFF could gain political advantage.
They also note that Panyaza’s strategy may be a calculated political gamble aimed at strengthening governance through coalition management while potentially elevating his own national political profile.
First published by African Insider
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
