‘The demand is massive’: Lesufi admits Gauteng underestimated pressure on services

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has admitted that the provincial government underestimated the scale of demand for public services and failed to properly manage immigration, as the ANC prepares to defend its record ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Lesufi made the admission as the ANC launched its election manifesto at Riverside Park near Diepsloot on Sunday, with party president Cyril Ramaphosa expected to outline the party’s plans for local government.

With the elections less than three months away, service delivery is expected to be a key battleground for the governing party.

WATCH

ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has called on ANC members to go door-to-door ahead of the 4 November local government elections and convince voters that the ANC is the only party capable of delivering essential services. pic.twitter.com/hAmxR4tjnM

MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) August 23, 2026

According to IOL, Lesufi conceded that the ANC needed to improve its service delivery record but defended the government’s achievements in building roads, schools, clinics and hospitals.

He said the province was facing enormous pressure because of the scale of demand for public services, while migration had not been adequately managed.

“The demand is massive,” Lesufi said, according to IOL.

The Gauteng premier acknowledged that the government had underestimated the extent of the challenge facing the province.

Immigration challenge

The admission was also highlighted by The Citizen, which reported that Lesufi conceded that the Gauteng government had not properly addressed foreign immigration and the growing demand for services.

Lesufi said the government had made progress in improving the lives of residents but acknowledged that more needed to be done.

The issue of immigration is particularly sensitive in Gauteng, where pressure on housing, healthcare, education, employment and other public services has become a major political issue ahead of the elections.

IOL reported that Lesufi argued that the ANC had delivered significant infrastructure despite the pressure placed on the province by rising demand.

The party is now attempting to balance its defence of its governing record with an acknowledgement that residents remain dissatisfied with the quality and reliability of services.

The manifesto launch comes as the ANC prepares to contest local government elections expected to take place on 4 November.

Mayoral candidates

The ANC has also begun preparing its mayoral candidates for the elections.

IOL reported that the party announced potential mayoral nominees for several metros and municipalities on Saturday but delayed the final announcement of its mayoral candidates until September.

In Johannesburg, veteran politician Frank Chikane, City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku have been identified as potential candidates.

City of Joburg three ANC shortlisted Mayoral candidate

1. Frank Chikane

2. Loyiso Masuko

3. Dada Morero

The ANC Mayoral race is between these three, who has a chance to be Mayoral candidate between the three? pic.twitter.com/0ZqCK8oyid

Nhlamu M (@NhlamuloNeay) August 23, 2026

The ANC is facing increased political competition in Gauteng, with opposition parties seeking to capitalise on complaints about service delivery, unemployment, infrastructure and governance.

For Lesufi, the acknowledgement that government underestimated demand and failed to properly manage immigration places service delivery and migration firmly among the challenges the ANC must address as it campaigns to retain support in the province.

The party’s manifesto is expected to set out its plans for local government, service delivery, economic development and community upliftment ahead of the November elections.

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Words: Betha Madhomu/ African Insider