ANC provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi could be facing tough times after the exclusion of some of his allies in his cabinet.
TimesLIVE Premium understands that Lesufi has raised the ire of his allies in the Sedibeng, West Rand and Tshwane regions who have taken issue with their regional leaders failing to make the cut in the executive council.
This comes after the ANC Youth League raised its displeasure over the composition of Lesufi's executive.
Speaking recently at a meeting on the West Rand, youth league president Collen Malatji took issue with the inclusion of Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile.
Malatji told a gathering in Bekkersdal last week that Maile and other ANC provincial executive committee members were not visible during the election campaign where the ANC was battered but have now been rewarded with executive positions.
Maile is head of elections in Gauteng, but Malatji seemed to suggest that only Lesufi was visible during the campaign.
According to insiders, the young lions are joined in their frustration by the ANC in Sedibeng where Lesufi launched his campaign for provincial chair.
One insider and regional executive member said they expected that elections head and regional chair Thulani Kunene would be included in the executive council.
Kunene contested against TK Nciza for provincial secretary in Lesufi's faction dubbed amapanya-panya in 2022.
Lesufi derived his biggest support base from the Sedibeng province.
“Panyaza's decision could have implications for his ambitions in 2027,” one regional leader said.
Lesufi has been touted to be in the running for a national position and a return as Gauteng provincial chair when the party sits for its provincial and national congresses in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Another region aggrieved by the exclusion is the West Rand.
One regional leader who spoke to TimesLIVE Premium said they expected that their leader and former MEC of e-government and co-operative governance and traditional affairs Mzikayifane Khumalo would return to government.
Panyaza's decision could have implications for his ambitions in 2027
— An ANC regional leader
“Instead, what we saw is TK Nciza and Maile's faction. The metros were represented. The metro that took the lion's share is Johannesburg. Comrade Panyaza allowed himself to be used and it will come back in spades,” one West Rand leader said.
The West Rand regional executive member said Lesufi was supposed to be mindful of geographical representation when appointing his cabinet.
They added that Lesufi disregarded the wishes of the Tshwane regional leaders and instead decided to appoint Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, a known Maile ally, which has angered the regional leaders.
According to the insiders, the Tshwane region had lobbied for Paul Mojapelo, who lost the race for provincial treasurer by one vote.
“Over a period of time, we fought hard to ensure that we don't have dominance by metros. At some point Johannesburg had dominance, we fought hard and said we don't want those things because we are one. So, you can talk of youth, and women, and you will find all of those principles, even currently, they are well expressed. Now he is in charge but fails to deliver his own people,” they said.
A Tshwane leader said that when the ANC goes to its conference in the province, they suspect it will be a three-horse race between Lesufi, Maile and deputy provincial chair Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“People gained more confidence after the announcement of the cabinet. Maile, Nomantu expected Lesufi to make these blunders and he did exactly that. We have been speaking as regions and we know what to expect.
“Maile is more aligned with TK, TK is more in favour of Panyaza, how are they going to resolve that? TK will have to make a choice at some point between the two. TK has made Panyaza comfortable but ultimately, he has to make a choice between the two,” they said.
The Tshwane regional leader said that while Panyaza was the “president's man”, they are of the view that Cyril Ramaphosa's allies will never align with a Nciza-Maile provincial executive committee.
The insider added that Nkomo-Ralehoko was poised to contest Lesufi for the premier position owing to her relationship with party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.
Nkomo-Ralehoko is also said to have the support of the so-called Chris Hani cabal of ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe, Mondli Gungubele and Enoch Godongwana — three strong Ramaphosa allies.
One provincial leader said Lesufi was under pressure to deliver a government of provincial unity after the ANC failed to retain its majority in the province.
The provincial executive committee member and Lesufi ally said the premier fought for his people in education MEC Matome Chiloane and SACP provincial leader Jacob Mamabolo.
“This was a factional thing. He had to make a choice. You must remember we did not win the elections so it's tough decision to make. But we can't take the concerns raised by the regions for granted. Panyaza must address the situation. I don't think it's enough to say they could drop him come the provincial conference, but you can't leave these things to fester,” the ANC leader said.
When asked to react to the concerns raised by the regional leaders, Nciza said the ANC does not respond to faceless people. Nciza said the provincial leadership was focused on rebuilding the structures as per the mandate of the provincial executive committee.
Khumalo and Kunene refused to comment. Lesufi's response will be added once received.
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