Lesufi Survives No Confidence Vote as Amapanyaza Ruling Splits Gauteng Politics

Gauteng politics saw a significant moment on Friday when Premier Panyaza Lesufi headed into his first vote of no confidence. The Democratic Alliance had pushed for his removal, arguing that the saga involving the now disbanded Amapanyaza crime wardens showed unlawful decision-making at the top of the province.

This was not just another busy day in the legislature. It marked the first attempt to unseat Lesufi since he formed a minority government last year. With coalition relationships already under pressure, the vote tested where parties currently stand inside Gauteng’s provincial house.

The Motion That Sparked the Showdown

The trigger for the motion came after Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka ruled that the Amapanyaza programme had been established unlawfully. Lesufi had introduced the crime wardens as a community safety measure, but the ruling concluded that he had created a policing structure without proper legal authority.

Once the unit was disbanded, Lesufi announced that the wardens would be repurposed, with some set to undergo full training to become Gauteng traffic wardens. That plan did not stop the DA from filing its motion three weeks before the vote, arguing that the province had been steered into crisis.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga disclosed that the party had reached out to others in the legislature to secure support. The response was mixed, revealing how differently parties interpreted the Amapanyaza ruling.

How the Numbers Fell

All eighty members of the legislature attended. The final tally:
• fifty-four against the motion
• twenty-four in favour
• one abstained
• The Speaker, as procedure requires, did not vote

As soon as the numbers were read out, ANC members broke into celebratory song. Lesufi, who had previously brushed off the DA’s intentions, retained his position with a clear majority.

Parties Split Along Sharp Lines

The DA’s push for support did not land well with everyone.

The Economic Freedom Fighters made it clear that the DA would have to apologise for calling the party “enemy number one” and branding its leaders as “dangerous demagogues” before any cooperation could even be considered.

ActionSA’s Gauteng chairperson Funzi Ngobeni confirmed that the DA had approached them as well. He pointed out that many issues the DA raised could have been avoided if the party had not supported Lesufi’s nomination as premier back in 2024. According to him, the DA owed Gauteng residents an apology for what he called a historic misjudgement.

The MK Party also declined to support the motion. Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party would not support anything linked to the DA, adding that the two groups held completely different positions on how the country should advance.

What the Outcome Means for Gauteng

Lesufi’s survival does not end the conversation around the Amapanyaza ruling. It simply confirms the voting strength within the legislature at this moment.

The Premier still faces questions about how the programme was created and how the wardens will be repurposed. At the same time, the reaction from opposition parties shows how differently each group views cooperation in the current political environment.

For now, Lesufi remains in office, and the Amapanyaza decision continues to shape debates in the province as parties position themselves ahead of future political battles.