Lesufi appoints EFF as Finance MEC in major Gauteng cabinet overhaul

Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has dramatically reshuffled his provincial executive, bringing the EFF into government as he warned that the province was staring down a “looming financial crisis” that could have crippled basic services.

The move sees EFF Gauteng leader Nkululeko Dunga appointed as Finance MEC, placing the party at the centre of the province’s R170 billion budget machinery. He takes over from Lebogang Maile, who has been redeployed to Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

Lesufi said the decision was forced by urgent fiscal pressures and political deadlock that threatened to shut down government operations.

“We had to stop a catastrophe that was about to happen,” Lesufi said during an interview with eNCA.

The EFF is finally occupying a seat at the Gauteng provincial government decision-making table. And it’s in charge of the provincial purse. Premier Panyaza Lesufi has named Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga as Finance and Economic Development MEC. He explains… pic.twitter.com/1KCPv1PuWm

— eNCA (@eNCA) April 2, 2026

He explained that delays in passing the provincial budget could have triggered a full-scale collapse in service delivery.

“We had until the 31st of March to pass a budget and if we didn’t, we could not pay teachers, we could not pay nurses, children could not get food, the entire administration of government would have come to a halt,” he said.

Lesufi added that nearly the entire provincial budget had been flagged amid governance concerns, forcing urgent negotiations with political parties to stabilise the administration.

[WATCH] Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi unveils the reshuffled Gauteng cabinet. He says the reshuffle was approved by national ANC structures.

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has been axed and Lebogang Maile has taken his place. EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga will be leading the… pic.twitter.com/IapMntaGNq

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 1, 2026

“We had a situation where the entire budget, almost R170 billion and adjusted figures, declared irregular where government departments can’t function,” he said. “We had to go in emergency discussions with political parties to say for the interest of our citizens, for the interest of service delivery, can’t we work together so that we don’t disrupt this.”

The reshuffle follows months of instability after the ANC failed to secure a majority in Gauteng, leaving it dependent on shifting alliances to pass key legislation. The EFF’s entry into the executive marks a significant political realignment, especially after it previously rejected the province’s adjustment budget.

Leadership and governance expert, Professor Mazwe Majola says Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi had no choice but to include the EFF in his cabinet because the ANC lacks enough seats to ensure that budgets pass. Lesufi announced EFF Gauteng leader Nkululeko Dunga as Finance MEC,… pic.twitter.com/A6bCviLOtQ

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 2, 2026

Lesufi said the restructuring was not only about survival, but about building a functional governing coalition.

“If the ruling party keeps the service delivery departments, you need somebody who can come and provide administrative support,” he said. “It was within that context that we felt both the EFF to lead Treasury and Rise Mzansi to lead the economic posture of our province. So we believe it’s a good combination.”

Rise Mzansi has also joined the executive, with Vuyiswa Ramokgopa appointed as MEC for Economic Development, while talks continue with the MK Party to possibly expand the coalition further.

However, attempts to bring the Democratic Alliance into the arrangement have failed, with the opposition maintaining its refusal to participate in what Lesufi has effectively turned into a Government of Provincial Unity.

The political shake-up reflects a province in constant negotiation with itself — where budgets, alliances, and survival politics now move in the same breath.