Julius Malema’s EFF has for the first time entered the provincial government - with Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi announcing Nkululeko Dunga as finance MEC.
Dunga is the EFF’s first MEC since its inception, a move that could change the political landscape ahead of the local government elections later in the year. This is a huge victory for the EFF, which had always eyed treasury.
In 2024, there was talk that the party had negotiated for the position of finance minister as a condition to join the ANC-led national government.
Lesufi removed education MEC Matome Chiloane to make way for Dunga. Chiloane was replaced by former finance MEC Lebogang Maile in his position.
Dunga was appointed after his party voted in support of a provincial budget at the Gauteng legislature on Tuesday.
His appointment is controversial as he was in 2024 removed as finance MMC by Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza − a move that caused ructions between the ANC and the EFF.
However, his appointment to Lesufi’s cabinet means the two parties were now willing to work together. Lesufi said the decision to work with the EFF had the approval of ANC bosses at Luthuli House.
Lesufi made the announcement at a briefing in Joburg, which he said came after his government struggled to pass the budget in the legislature, prompting renewed talks with the EFF.
“Last week we couldn’t proceed to adopt the adjustment budget due to disagreement within political parties. It was within this context that the national leadership of the ruling party gave us the go-ahead to engage with other political parties.
“We held discussions with the DA. We further held discussions with the Economic Freedom Fighters, as well as Umkhonto weSizwe Party. Both the Economic Freedom Fighters as well as uMkhonto weSizwe Party [MK], agreed to cooperate with us,” he said.
Lesufi’s government could not have secured approval for its adjustment budget without the support of EFF after it was postponed the previous week and only passed on Tuesday following a negotiated agreement.
The ANC was compelled to enter talks with the EFF after earlier negotiations to place Dunga in a position within the Ekurhuleni municipality fell through.
The EFF, which holds 11 seats, had initially refused to back the budget and warned it would not support the ANC in municipalities without political concessions, but later shifted its stance after successful negotiations.
Lesufi said the MK Party discussion is still ongoing.
“I want to emphasise this point. The decision to bring this political parties was facilitated by our national leadership. And it was the national leadership of the ruling party that gave us the go-ahead to reconstitute governance, and it is within this context that I currently unveil the new leadership that will take up responsibilities in the ruling executive council,” he said.
Lesufi said replacing Chiloane was a “difficult decision”, stressing the move is about coalition stability while assuring he will remain part of government in another role.
“With MEC Chiloane, there is nothing wrong. Unfortunately, in politics, we have to go through this phase, especially when we do not have the numbers. This has been a very difficult decision. I spent time with him earlier, and we assured him that we would find other ways for him to contribute, as we believe he can still assist us.
“The reality is that appointments are always contested; if you appoint here, you are asked why not there. It is a difficult balance,” he said.
He added that the decision to place Dunga in finance is because of his former role in Ekurhuleni.
“We have confidence in the appointment. So we are not throwing him in a space he is unfamiliar with, we are not throwing him into a lion’s den, it is a space that he is in, and it is an area that the EFF can assist us to run that portfolio,” he said.
Dunga’s role in Ekurhuleni did not come without controversies as he was accused of failing to submit the city’s annual financial statements on time, a breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Lesufi also switched the position of the health and social development heads.
Faith Mazibuko will now be the MEC for health, while Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will be the new MEC of social development.
The new heads were expected to be inaugurated on Thursday afternoon.
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