The African National Congress in Gauteng is still in discussions with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party about the possibility of the party joining the provincial executive.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced changes to his executive on Wednesday, with the most notable development being the Economic Freedom Fighters joining the ANC-led coalition. The EFF’s provincial leader, Nkululeko Dunga, has been appointed as Finance MEC.
Speaking to the media in Johannesburg on Wednesday night, Lesufi said the decision to invite opposition parties was made to boost the executive’s numbers in the legislature. The ANC has been running a minority government in Gauteng since 2024, meaning it could not pass the provincial budget without votes from opposition parties.
This time, the EFF refused to support the province’s adjustment budget after its leader, Julius Malema, vowed to never support any ANC proposal in the provincial legislature. That led to the ANC inviting the EFF to join the coalition.
Lesufi said discussions were also held with the Democratic Alliance and the MK Party, but only the latter seemed interested in joining the executive.
He said discussions with the MK Party are ongoing, adding that they were speaking to the party as recently as Tuesday. He said the MK Party could either be in the executive, the legislature, or other state arms, and that people should wait for those discussions to be finalised.
Lesufi said the inclusion of the EFF will stabilise his government.