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IOL News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Panyaza Lesufi pledges to rejuvenate ANC and combat factionalism in Gauteng
ANC co-convenor in Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi warns against factionalism, stressing the ANC must serve like a responsible provider,delivering real change to all citizens while tackling infrastructure decay and governance failures in Gauteng. Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Media ANC Gauteng provincial co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has pledged a renewed commitment to rebuilding the party, rooting out factionalism, and addressing governance failures in the province. Speaking at a media briefing following the conclusion of the ANC Gauteng two-day Lekgotla, Lesufi outlined a strategic plan to regain public trust and electoral strength ahead of upcoming regional conferences and elections. The Lekgotla focused on mapping the party's roadmap for renewal. Lesufi said a comprehensive 'master plan' had been adopted, based on resolutions from the recent national Lekgotla, to align both governance and organisational efforts in the province. 'When we refer to our master plan, we're essentially talking about our programme of action at both governance and organisational levels,' Lesufi said. He stressed the importance of unity among alliance partners and increased youth participation, describing the Lekgotla's resolutions as 'amazing' and well-positioned to tackle the province's key challenges. Acknowledging internal polling that showed widespread dissatisfaction across employment groups, Lesufi said: 'Those without jobs say they can't vote for us because they're unemployed. But even those with jobs say they can't vote for us,' he said, calling it a 'moving target.' Comparing the ANC's current role to that of a service provider, he said: 'We are like a service provider, like Vodacom. We must understand that we are rendering a service to all sectors of society.' Addressing concerns around deteriorating infrastructure and municipal service delivery, Lesufi introduced the concept of 'G13 plus one,' referring to the province's 13 municipalities plus the provincial government: 'We've identified the G13 plus one problems as core issues affecting service delivery and governance. We fully accept them,' he said.
The Citizen
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘It must come to an end': Lesufi suggests South Africa is being ‘abused' by illegal foreigners
The Gauteng premier said government must make a formal decision on how to manage illegal immigration in the country. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at the memorial service of six community patrollers at Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve on 26 March 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Lefty Shivambu Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the 'honeymoon period' for illegal foreigners in South Africa must come to an end. He suggested that they are contributing to some of the ills in the country, such as strained healthcare services and crime. The premier made these comments at the ANC Gauteng lekgotla at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, on Saturday. The gathering aims to solve challenges in the province and develop strategies for the upcoming local government elections. Lesufi blames illegal foreigners Speaking at the lekgotla, Lesufi seemed to blame illegal foreigners for many of the problems faced by the provincial government. He used his recent visit to the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve as an example. He said the majority of people living there were undocumented. 'I know it may create problems, but comrades, we must be very firm now,' Lesufi said. 'We can't have an informal settlement where over 65% of its citizens are undocumented foreign citizens… It must come to an end.' ALSO READ: Marches against illegal immigrants spread across South Africa 'Our ubuntu cannot be abused' Lesufi said South Africa's character should not be questioned over this stance. He said no other country would welcome undocumented people. 'You have people [and] you don't know who they are, where they come from, where they sleep, what they do, and they are in our country doing as they wish. 'That period of honeymoon must come to an end… you [must] document yourself or you [must] leave us in peace.' 'Everyone knows our ubuntu, but our ubuntu cannot be abused.' Watch: Lesufi speaks at ANC Gauteng lekgotla Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, says, South Africa cannot have an informal settlement where over 45% of its residents are foreign national. He says "our ubuntu cannot be abused". Lesufi was speaking at the renewal talks that are being held by the ANC ahead of the 2026 elections.… May 3, 2025 He also suggested that illegal foreigners are contributing to crime in the country. 'We can't surrender our country to criminals.' ALSO READ: Tembisa murders go unpunished: Lesufi's Amapanyaza a flop, says opposition Lesufi said he has spoken to President Cyril Ramaphosa and some ministers about the problem of illegal immigration. 'If we can't formally take a decision on how best we manage this situation, we must forget about everything we want to do. 'Our hospitals are overflowing. South Africans are expected to come with an ID document to identify themselves, [illegal foreigners] don't have to identify themselves but they expect to be serviced. The ANC Gauteng lekgotla will end on Sunday. NOW READ: Ramaphosa's criticism of Gauteng an own goal or awakening?
