Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
20 February 2024 | 13:00 CAT
3 min read

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi took to the podium on Monday evening at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg to deliver his second State of the Province Address (SoPA).

Prior to the Address, anticipation was high as to whether he would utilise this platform to bolster the ANC’s image in an election year or provide an honest assessment of the challenges confronting the province.

It was reported moments after Lesufi began his 37-page speech that chaos erupted as members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) interrupted him. This prompted a reaction from apparent ANC members, resulting in a tumultuous scene where insults were exchanged, and members of the legislature heckled each other. The situation escalated as plastic water bottles were hurled in the midst of the disruption.

In a media release, ActionSA criticised Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for delivering what they deemed as empty promises and false claims of progress during his State of the Province Address (SoPA).

The party asserted that Lesufi’s administration is out of touch with reality, highlighting the ongoing suffering of millions of residents in Gauteng. ActionSA lamented the failure of Premier Lesufi, “like his predecessor, to effectively address the pressing issues facing the province, including unemployment and persistent load shedding.”

Highlighting “the abhorrent conduct displayed in the chamber”, they called attention to the disconnect between the rhetoric of progress and the harsh reality experienced by many Gauteng residents.

ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Funzi Ngobeni shared his views before the address with Radio Islam.

Ngobeni expressed scepticism, stating that they anticipate hearing more election gimmicks and campaign rhetoric from their colleagues on the podium. He emphasised that these politicians are essentially living on borrowed time and cannot realistically make plans for the future. Ngobeni suggested that many of them will attempt to sway Gauteng voters with promises of change despite their decades-long track record of failure to address longstanding issues.

“The assessment of their uninterrupted power for the last 30 years is tragic. South Africa will not last another five years of Panayaza Lesufi and his criminals,” he said.

In his address, Premier Lesufi came to the defence of his Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) programme, also known as “amaPanyaza”.

“Thus far, they are receiving advanced training on firearm competence, as drone pilots, training in crowd control, advanced driving and training on anti-land invasion and infrastructure vandalism, while others will be on monitoring cameras in our three interim command centres,” he said.

Ngobeni alleges that millions of funds have been squandered on the Crime Prevention Wardens, commonly referred to as AmaPanyaza, which Ngobeni describes as Premier Lesufi’s private militia. According to Ngobeni, these wardens are operating as a law unto themselves and are being remunerated for attending speeches rather than fulfilling their supposed duty of combating crime.

In the address, the premier unveiled a new public-private partnership with Vumacam, granting the government access to over 7,000 cameras. This initiative aims to rejuvenate Central Business Districts (CBDs) and combat criminal activities effectively.

“From where we sit as the province, we remain confident that we should be able to end e-tolls by March 2024,” Lesufi said.

He reported significant economic progress in Gauteng. He announced that close to 90,000 young people have been lifted out of unemployment and despair, equating to the capacity of FNB Stadium. He emphasised the expansion of the Nasi iSpani program, aiming to target 40,000 youth for employment opportunities through labour activation programs. Lesufi called on the private sector to collaborate with the government in creating further opportunities for youth empowerment.

Lesufi asserted his confidence that they can resolve the issue of e-tolls by March 2024.

Opposition leaders have criticised Lesufi’s speech as “delusional”.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, here.