Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of running a "relentless and desperate campaign" to unseat him and destabilise the provincial government, alleging the party claims he “robbed” them of seats in the legislature.
The DA, alongside AfriForum, has accused Lesufi of being involved in covering up widespread corruption, money laundering, and fraud within the Gauteng government.
The allegations focus on 13 officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD) who are implicated in ongoing forensic investigations.
Despite these allegations, the DA was invited to participate in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) but declined the offer. DA federal chairperson Helen Zille also accused Lesufi of centralising power rather than exercising leadership in the province.
The party has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting that he intervene and discipline the premier.
“It must be noted that the DA was allowed to participate in the GPU but chose not to. Instead, they made what we considered unreasonable demands that we could not accept.
Now they are running a campaign to portray me as corrupt, irrational, and an ANC rogue,” Lesufi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
In an official statement, Lesufi strongly refuted allegations of covering up corruption.
He clarified that the 13 officials were placed on special leave between November 2023 and January 2024 to prevent interference with the investigation and to protect witnesses.
“However, the officials were reinstated in August 2024 as no formal charges had been laid against them. The Forensic Services Group's investigation is still ongoing, and the report will be made available once the process is completed,” he stated.
Lesufi reiterated that the DA's demands to join the GPU were unreasonable and that they are now running a smear campaign against him. “I serve as premier at the behest of my organisation. I am humbled by the faith the ANC has in my leadership, and I remain committed to ensuring Gauteng and the country prosper for all who live in it,” he said.
Lesufi urged the DA to engage more constructively in legislative debates rather than personalising political disputes.
He also accused the party of attempting to create an image of him as an unruly leader to undermine his position and gain political advantage.
“Our people are not fooled. I wonder where we would be had we not resisted the DA’s attempts to take over Gauteng—a move they desperately yearn for. My message to the DA is: try harder, because the people have woken up,” Lesufi added.
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